Nicole Daedone’s prison sentence for forced labor in orgasmic meditation cult OneTaste
Consensus Summary
Nicole Daedone, founder of the orgasmic meditation company OneTaste, was sentenced to nine years in prison for a forced labor conspiracy involving sexual exploitation of vulnerable women. The scheme allegedly coerced participants into performing sex acts with clients and investors under the guise of spiritual enlightenment, with prosecutors describing systematic psychological, emotional, and financial abuse. Daedone and her co-conspirator Rachel Cherwitz were found guilty of manipulating victims—often survivors of trauma—into debt, isolation, and unwanted labor, leaving many financially ruined and psychologically scarred. While supporters framed OneTaste as a feminist wellness movement promoting sexual empowerment, federal prosecutors argued the practice was a predatory cult disguised as self-help, with victims testifying to coercion and degradation. The case highlights tensions between free expression, consent, and exploitation in alternative wellness spaces, as defense attorneys sought to downplay the severity of the crimes while critics warned of broader dangers in unregulated ‘sex-positive’ communities.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Nicole Daedone, co-founder of OneTaste Inc, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for a forced labor conspiracy involving sexual exploitation of vulnerable women
- Daedone was ordered to forfeit $12 million and seven victims received roughly $890,000 in restitution
- Rachel Cherwitz, OneTaste’s former sales director, was sentenced to six and a half years for her role in the scheme
- The scheme allegedly involved coercing women into performing sex acts with clients and investors under the guise of ‘orgasmic meditation’ (OM) for ‘enlightenment’
- OneTaste was founded in San Francisco in 2004 and sold Daedone’s stake for $12 million in 2017
- Prosecutors argued Daedone and Cherwitz used economic pressure, psychological manipulation, and physical exhaustion to control victims
- The trial lasted approximately one month, with testimony from over two dozen supporters and victims
- Daedone’s lawyers sought a two-year sentence, citing her lack of prior criminal record and 200+ letters of support from admirers
- The US Attorney Joseph Nocella called the scheme ‘exploitation disguised as wellness or empowerment’
- OneTaste’s current CEO, Diane Gujarati, called the conviction ‘a terrifying day for freedom’
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Judge Diane Gujarati explicitly stated in court that Daedone’s actions were ‘criminal’ and not about ‘enlightenment’
- Prosecutors sought a 20-year prison term for Daedone, arguing victims suffered ‘financial, emotional, and psychological scars’
- Defense lawyers described Daedone as a ‘ceiling-shattering feminist entrepreneur’ who created a ‘unique business centered on women’s sexuality and empowerment’
- One victim told the judge she was the ‘perfect target’ and fell into Daedone’s ‘trap’ after believing in her ‘feminist mission’
- Prominent figures like Van Jones and Richard Schiff wrote letters praising Daedone’s ‘uncommon wisdom’ and ‘positive influence’
- Alan Dershowitz announced he would seek a presidential pardon for Daedone and Cherwitz from Donald Trump
- Daedone has been teaching meditation to other inmates at the Brooklyn federal detention center since her conviction in June 2023
- The New York Times ran a 2009 feature on Daedone and OneTaste, describing it as a ‘commune dedicated to men and women publicly creating the orgasm that exists between them’
- Gwyneth Paltrow promoted OneTaste on her podcast, and actors like David Schwimmer, Orlando Bloom, and Brian Cox reportedly attended presentations
- Orgasmic meditation (OM) involves a woman lying in a ‘nest’ with legs open while a man strokes her clitoris for 15 minutes in a ‘goalless practice’
- The OM Foundation (OneTaste’s research arm) conducted almost all third-party research on the practice, with claims of benefits for stress resilience, PTSD, and ADHD
- Dr. Anouchka Grose warned that ‘if someone is getting rich from this, there’s a distinct possibility that money is more important to the organizer than your wellbeing’
- The Netflix documentary *Orgasm Inc* (2022) and Ellen Huet’s book *Empire of Orgasm* (2025) explored the controversies surrounding OneTaste
- OM was described as a ‘mindfulness practice with strict choreography’ where practitioners often OMed four times a day or more
- The clitoral stimulation in OM was framed as a path to ‘mystical experiences’ and ‘emotional regulation’
- Daedone was nicknamed ‘The Oracle’ of OneTaste and described herself as a ‘ceiling-shattering feminist entrepreneur’ by her defense attorney
- Former adherent Rori Montali testified that OM helped her recover from trauma, calling it a way to ‘feel alive again’
- Steven Hassan, a former Moonie, called OneTaste a cult due to its ‘authoritarian control’ and ‘narcissistic leaders’
- OneTaste’s current CEO, Anjuli Ayer, argued the case was about ‘criminalizing ideas’ rather than labor or conspiracy
- The FBI’s investigation into OneTaste was framed as targeting ‘slow sex movement’ leaders aiming to mainstream OM like yoga
- Prosecutor Sean Fern testified that victims ‘left as shells of their former selves’ after being subjected to debt, abuse, and unwanted touching
- Former witness Becky described OneTaste as a ‘cult’ and said she lost her sense of reality and went into debt
- The American Psychological Association and US Commission on International Religious Freedom formally rejected the idea of ‘brainwashing’
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Daedone ‘declined to speak in federal court,’ but Article 3 reports she ‘swiveled her chair toward the public gallery, smiled broadly, and said: “No.”’
- Article 1 claims Daedone’s lawyers argued for a two-year sentence, while Article 3 states they sought ‘leniency’ without specifying a number
- Article 2 describes OM as a ‘goalless practice’ with no expectation of reciprocation, but Article 1 implies victims were coerced into sexual acts with clients/investors for the company’s benefit
- Article 3 quotes Anjuli Ayer calling the conviction ‘a terrifying day for freedom,’ while Article 1 describes her as the current CEO maintaining the company’s innocence
- Article 1 reports Daedone sold her stake in 2017, but Article 2 states she sold it for $12 million in 2017 (consensus fact), while Article 3 does not specify the sale date
Source Articles
Comeuppance: how an orgasmic ‘cult’ ended in a prison term for its founder
Nicole Daedone, who promised spiritual wellbeing through her OneTaste enterprise, received a nine-year sentence but some question if freedom of thought is being criminalized Clitoral stimulation as a ...
What to know about the controversial practice of ‘orgasmic meditation’
The practice touted by Nicole Daedone combined spirituality, mindfulness and sexuality. Then came the controversy – and prison sentence In 2009, the New York Times ran a story about Nicole Daedone and...
Founder of ‘orgasmic meditation’ company gets nine years in prison in forced labor conspiracy
Nicole Daedone, co-founder of OneTaste Inc, also ordered to forfeit $12m, and seven victims were awarded restitution The leader of a sex-focused women’s wellness company that promoted “orgasmic medita...