OneTaste Leaders Convicted of Forced Labor

Nicole Daedone, founder of OneTaste, and Rachel Cherwitz, its former sales director, were convicted of federal forced labor charges by a Brooklyn jury. Prosecutors argued that the two women ran a years-long scheme from 2006 to 2018, coercing members of OneTaste into performing unpaid labor and sexual acts through economic, sexual, and psychological abuse. Victims, many of whom had experienced sexual trauma, were allegedly forced into uncomfortable sexual acts with prospective investors or clients, and were told these acts were necessary for 'freedom' and 'enlightenment.' OneTaste, founded in San Francisco in 2004, promoted 'orgasmic meditation' and generated revenue through courses and events. Nicole Daedone sold her stake in OneTaste in 2017 for $12 million, a year before its practices came under scrutiny. The company has since rebranded as the OneTaste, whose current owners maintain the charges are unjustified. Nicole Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz each face up to 20 years in prison and plan to appeal the verdict.