Prosecutors Allege Orgasmic Meditation Practice Was Forced Labor Conspiracy

Nine college-educated women testify they were brainwashed into having their clitorises stroked, despite initially finding the practice beneficial.

Feb. 19, 2026 at 7:07pm

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The U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York has brought an indictment against Nicole Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz, charging them with conspiracy to commit forced labor. The theory is that Daedone's teaching of a practice called Orgasmic Meditation, which involved the stroking of the clitoris, was not a genuine spiritual practice but rather a conspiracy to brainwash people, particularly women, into performing labor for their enrichment. Nine women, all college-educated and from middle-class or affluent backgrounds, testified that while they initially found the practice beneficial, they were later convinced they had been brainwashed.

Why it matters

This case represents a novel legal theory that the clitoris can be used to brainwash women, even educated and successful ones, into performing labor against their will. The prosecutors are seeking to establish that a woman's 'yes' can be the product of brainwashing, even if she did not say 'no' at the time. This raises complex questions about consent, coercion, and the nature of spiritual and sexual practices.

The details

The prosecutors allege that Daedone and Cherwitz indoctrinated their 'victims' to believe that Daedone was a guru and that her teachings were the path to enlightenment and spiritual growth. They claim the defendants personally connected spirituality to the Orgasmic Meditation practice to protect themselves. The nine women who testified were all college graduates, white, from middle-class or affluent families, and in their 20s or 30s. They described the practice as beneficial at the time, but later realized they had been brainwashed. The defense argues that these were grown, educated women who consented to the practice, but the prosecution contends that their initial happiness was part of the brainwashing.

  • The U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York brought the indictment in 2026.
  • The trial is ongoing, with sentencing scheduled for March 30, 2026.

The players

Nicole Daedone

The founder of OneTaste, a company that taught a practice called Orgasmic Meditation, which involved the stroking of the clitoris. She is accused of conspiring to commit forced labor.

Rachel Cherwitz

A sales associate of OneTaste who is also accused of conspiring to commit forced labor alongside Nicole Daedone.

Nina Gupta

A prosecutor in the case who argued that Orgasmic Meditation was a 'ritualistic massaging or stroking of a woman's genitals for 15 minutes.'

Judge Gujarati

The judge presiding over the trial of Nicole Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz.

Steve Hassan

A government-approved therapist who specializes in 'coercive control' and has worked with the women who testified that they were brainwashed.

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What they’re saying

“OM has changed my life... before OM, I was never content and always lonely. OM taught you to stay connected no matter what.”

— Rebecca Halpern, Therapist with a master's degree

“The brainwashing.”

— Christina Berkley, College-educated woman

“Because I had this warped understanding of what was real and what was normal, I did things ... that I would never do otherwise.”

— Margaret Pixley, Medical doctor

“There were a lot of wonderful and helpful things about the practice, yes.”

— Dana Gill, Ordained minister

“I think in the beginning it did.”

— Lianna Lifson, High school teacher with a master's degree

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on March 30, 2026 whether to sentence Nicole Daedone to 20 years in prison and Rachel Cherwitz to 14 years in prison for their alleged roles in the forced labor conspiracy.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and evolving legal landscape around consent, coercion, and the boundaries of spiritual and sexual practices. The prosecutors' novel theory that the clitoris can be used to brainwash women, even educated and successful ones, into performing labor against their will raises profound questions about individual autonomy and the nature of victimhood.