OneTaste Founder Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Forced Labor

Nicole Daedone, co-founder of the 'orgasmic meditation' company, was ordered to forfeit $12 million after being convicted of forced labor charges.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:25pm by Ben Kaplan

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled, discarded financial document or contract, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the financial exploitation and emotional damage caused by the OneTaste forced labor case.The sentencing of OneTaste's founder exposes the financial ruin and lasting trauma left in the wake of the company's alleged forced labor scheme.San Francisco Today

Nicole Daedone, the co-founder of the sex-focused wellness company OneTaste, was sentenced to 9 years in federal prison on forced labor charges. Prosecutors had sought a 20-year sentence, arguing that Daedone's scheme left 'scores of victims financially, emotionally and psychologically scarred.' Daedone was also ordered to forfeit $12 million, the amount she sold the California-based company for in 2017.

Why it matters

The case against OneTaste highlighted concerns about the company's marketing and labor practices, which were accused of grooming adherents - many of them victims of sexual trauma - into performing uncomfortable or repulsive sexual acts. The sentencing raises questions about the boundaries between personal empowerment and exploitation in the wellness industry.

The details

Prosecutors said Daedone and former OneTaste sales director Rachel Cherwitz used economic, sexual and psychological abuse, intimidation and indoctrination to force OneTaste members into sexual acts they found uncomfortable or repulsive, such as having sex with prospective investors or clients. The two told followers these acts were necessary to obtain 'freedom' and 'enlightenment' and to demonstrate their commitment to the company's principles.

  • Daedone co-founded OneTaste in San Francisco in 2004.
  • Daedone sold her stake in the company in 2017 for $12 million.
  • Daedone was sentenced on March 30, 2026.

The players

Nicole Daedone

The co-founder of OneTaste Inc., a sex-focused women's wellness company that promoted 'orgasmic meditation.' She was sentenced to 9 years in federal prison on forced labor charges.

Rachel Cherwitz

The former sales director of OneTaste, who was set to be sentenced alongside Daedone for their roles in the forced labor scheme.

Van Jones

A CNN correspondent and former adviser to President Barack Obama, who wrote a letter of support describing Daedone as 'a woman of uncommon wisdom, grace and moral courage.'

Richard Schiff

An actor from the television series 'The West Wing,' who wrote that Daedone was deserving of the court's leniency because she has 'spent her life trying to bring compassion, awareness, and honesty to a part of human experience that is often shamed or misunderstood.'

Institute of OM Foundation

The current owners of OneTaste, who have rebranded the company and maintain that the charges against its former executives were unjustified.

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What they’re saying

“a woman of uncommon wisdom, grace and moral courage”

— Van Jones, CNN correspondent and former Obama adviser

“spent her life trying to bring compassion, awareness, and honesty to a part of human experience that is often shamed or misunderstood.”

— Richard Schiff, Actor

What’s next

The Institute of OM Foundation, the current owners of OneTaste, have stated they will continue to operate the company and maintain that the charges against its former executives were unjustified.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex issues surrounding the boundaries between personal empowerment and exploitation in the wellness industry, and the need for greater scrutiny and accountability around companies that claim to empower women but are accused of using abusive practices.