The much-anticipated trial of OneTaste executives has officially begun in New York City, drawing national attention to the controversial startup once praised for its unusual wellness practices. OneTaste founder Nicole Daedone and former head of sales Rachel Cherwitz now face serious federal charges. Prosecutors allege the two ran a forced labor scheme under the cover of a self-help business focused on “orgasmic meditation.”
This case is not just about business misconduct—it cuts into deeper issues of consent, manipulation, and labor exploitation in wellness culture. The trial, expected to last several weeks, may also change how alternative lifestyle businesses are scrutinized by federal authorities.
For background information on the criminal indictment, refer to the U.S. Department of Justice’s official press release.
What Is OneTaste?
Founded in 2004 by Nicole Daedone, OneTaste marketed a practice called “orgasmic meditation” (OM)—a wellness activity that the company claimed would improve relationships and personal well-being through mindful sexual connection. The practice involved a clothed man stroking a woman’s genitals for 15 minutes as a form of “meditation.”
While OneTaste attracted both supporters and high-paying clients, it also raised eyebrows for its cult-like environment, expensive membership programs, and unorthodox methods. By 2018, federal investigators began to take a closer look.
An investigative Bloomberg report published in 2020 highlighted serious accusations from former members who said they were pressured into unpaid labor and non-consensual sex acts. This report became the catalyst for an FBI investigation and the eventual indictment of Daedone and Cherwitz in 2023.
Charges and Allegations
According to federal prosecutors, Daedone and Cherwitz “used manipulative tactics, emotional pressure, and cult-like control” to exploit staff and members for the financial and sexual benefit of OneTaste’s leadership. The indictment accuses the duo of:
- Coercing unpaid labor under the promise of “spiritual growth”
- Encouraging sexual acts between employees and clients under duress
- Threatening retaliation against those who tried to leave or report abuse
- Enforcing silence through non-disclosure agreements and emotional manipulation
The forced labor charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, and additional conspiracy and fraud charges have also been added.
You can read more about the legal implications from this Forbes breakdown.
Inside the Courtroom: Emotional Testimonies
Day one of the trial saw powerful opening statements from both prosecution and defense. Prosecutors painted a picture of a high-control organization where employees were indoctrinated to believe their suffering was part of a transformative experience. “They weren’t meditating—they were manipulated,” said lead prosecutor Allison Rogers.
Several former employees are expected to testify in the coming weeks, some anonymously. One such testimony, partially unsealed in pre-trial motions, describes how a woman was forced to engage in sexual acts with clients while being told she was “healing” from trauma.
The defense, on the other hand, claims all activities at OneTaste were consensual and intended for personal development. Defense attorney Mark Levine argued that, “The prosecution misunderstands alternative wellness. This was not a cult—it was a choice.”
Updates on daily proceedings are being provided by outlets such as CNN and local New York news networks.
The Role of Rachel Cherwitz
While Daedone remains the face of the brand, Rachel Cherwitz, as former head of sales, is also facing significant legal heat. Prosecutors argue that Cherwitz played a key role in recruiting vulnerable individuals into programs that demanded total obedience.
Cherwitz allegedly pressured staff to meet sales quotas and used sexual manipulation as a tactic for closing deals or punishing non-compliance. She is accused of personally coercing employees into unpaid labor and “OM demonstrations” for new clients.
Media and Public Response
The OneTaste trial is sparking national conversations about boundaries in wellness practices, spiritual coercion, and labor rights in non-traditional workspaces. Critics say the company blurred the lines between intimacy and exploitation while cloaking abuse in therapeutic language.
Documentaries like Orgasm Inc. on Netflix and podcast episodes such as The Orgasm Cult have already brought public attention to OneTaste’s shady past. With the trial underway, more media coverage is expected.
Public opinion remains sharply divided. Some defend OneTaste’s principles, arguing it offered real healing, while others describe it as a classic case of spiritual abuse.
For more on how spiritual organizations have crossed legal lines, see this NPR feature.
What’s Next?
The trial is expected to last at least four to six weeks, with testimony from more than a dozen witnesses and extensive digital evidence, including internal communications, training videos, and financial records.
Legal experts say the verdict could set a major precedent for how far “consent” can stretch within alternative therapy and spiritual communities. If convicted, Daedone and Cherwitz could face decades behind bars.
Final Thoughts
The OneTaste trial raises serious questions about where freedom of belief ends and coercion begins. While the company branded itself as a haven for healing and sexual liberation, the courtroom drama unfolding in New York paints a darker picture—one of control, manipulation, and deeply blurred boundaries.
Stay updated on this evolving story through trusted legal and news platforms. Follow live trial coverage on The New York Times.
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