• Nicole Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz were convicted of forced labor conspiracy.
• Victims reported coercion into sexual acts for the company's benefit.
• The company promoted 'orgasmic meditation' as a form of wellness.
• Both executives face up to 20 years in prison and plan to appeal the verdict.
• The company has been criticized for manipulating vulnerable individuals.

The leaders of OneTaste Inc., a company known for promoting "orgasmic meditation," were convicted on federal forced labor charges by a Brooklyn jury after a five-week trial. Nicole Daedone, 57, and Rachel Cherwitz, 44, now face up to 20 years in prison following their conviction for running a coercive scheme that exploited vulnerable women under the guise of sexual empowerment, according to CBS News and HuffPost.

Prosecutors outlined a troubling narrative in which Daedone and Cherwitz manipulated victims—many with prior sexual trauma—into performing degrading acts, including sexual services for potential investors. Their methods reportedly included economic, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse, coupled with intimidation tactics. Witnesses recounted coerced participation in a system that demanded their full commitment to the company's questionable ethos, as outlined in statements from the U.S. Attorney's Office and detailed by NPR.

The defense portrayed Daedone as a "ceiling-shattering feminist entrepreneur" while contending that participants willingly engaged with OneTaste's programs. Cherwitz's attorney claimed that leaving the organization was always an option for disenchanted members and that remorse did not equate to coercion, a stance disputed by the prosecution. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella stated that the women's actions exploited vulnerable individuals, effectively branding them as "grifters" in their pursuit of profit, according to HuffPost and NPR.

OneTaste, founded in 2004 in San Francisco, garnered attention for its unique take on sexual wellness through practices like "orgasmic meditation." The company claimed that women's orgasms were central to holistic wellness, but increasing scrutiny illuminated concerning labor practices and allegations of abuse. Daedone's previous position as a self-proclaimed pioneer of women's sexual liberation came under fire as reports unearthed manipulation allegations and unethical practices within the organization, as discussed by CBS News and HuffPost.

Following the verdict, attorneys for Daedone and Cherwitz expressed their intention to appeal, citing complex legal questions raised during the trial. Despite the convictions, OneTaste continues to operate under a new brand, the Institute of OM Foundation, with its executives maintaining that past allegations have been misconstrued. Daedone remains a prominent figure within the rebranded organization, further complicating the narrative surrounding the company’s ethical practices, as highlighted by NPR and HuffPost.