OneTaste Founders Convicted of Forced Labor in "Orgasmic Cult" Sex Trafficking Case

The glamorous leaders of the alleged “orgasm cult” OneTaste were found guilty Monday of grooming their wellness company’s members to have sex with clients and investors

The founder and former sales director of controversial wellness company OneTaste were found guilty Monday of coercing employees into sexual acts with clients and investors in what prosecutors described as a decade-long "sex cult" operation.

Nicole Daedone, 57, and Rachel Cherwitz, 44, were convicted in Brooklyn federal court on conspiracy to commit forced labor charges following a four-week trial featuring harrowing testimony from nine former employees. Jurors deliberated for 12.5 hours before delivering the verdict, which could send both women to prison for up to 20 years.

OneTaste founder Nicole Daedone, 57 (right) and her former head of sales, Rachel Cherwitz, 44, face up to 20 years behind bars after jurors in Brooklyn federal court convicted them on a conspiracy to commit forced labor charge

Prosecutors dismantled OneTaste's public image as a female empowerment organization promoting "orgasmic meditation," revealing instead a predatory scheme targeting vulnerable individuals. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nina Gupta described how the company "recruited people who suffered past trauma by claiming they could fix their sexual suffering," only to manipulate them into unpaid labor and sexual services.

The trial exposed disturbing practices, including Cherwitz allegedly directing a rape survivor to reenact her assault during a taboo workshop. Employees testified about being pressured into sexual relationships with investors and subjected to psychological control tactics, including cult-like terminology labeling outsiders as "muggles" from Harry Potter lore.

Daedone and Cherwitz arriving at court for the final day of closing arguments on June 5, 2025

Once endorsed by Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop, OneTaste's operations unraveled after investigative reports and a Netflix documentary revealed allegations of systemic abuse. Prosecutors presented evidence that Daedone herself referred to the company as a "sex cult" in its early days.

Defense attorneys argued that accusers were willing participants, with Celia Cohen emphasizing that "not one filed a police report" during the alleged abuse period. The jury rejected this narrative, with U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. stating the verdict "unmasked Daedone and Cherwitz as grifters who preyed on vulnerable victims."

The defendants' legal team announced plans to appeal, calling the decision "deeply disappointing" in a joint statement. Sentencing is scheduled for later this year.

The Netflix documentary “Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste” revealed accusations from workers at OneTaste. A scene from the OneTaste documentary “Orgasm Inc.”