BROOKLYN, NY – Nicole Daedone, 48, founder and former CEO of the San Francisco-based “sexual wellness” company OneTaste, Inc., is heading to federal prison for nine years. Daedone was sentenced today by United States District Judge Diane Gujarati after a jury found her guilty in June 2025 of conspiring to force women into labor as part of a twisted business model. The scheme, far from empowering, systematically exploited vulnerabilities for profit.
The evidence presented at the five-week trial painted a disturbing picture of OneTaste. Prosecutors detailed how Daedone and her inner circle recruited women with promises of personal growth and sexual liberation, then manipulated them into performing increasingly demanding – and unpaid – work. This wasn’t about wellness; it was about control and coercion. Rachel Cherwitz, 42, OneTaste’s former Head of Sales, received a 78-month sentence for her role in the conspiracy, demonstrating the court’s serious view of the offenses.
The “education” offered by OneTaste was a facade, investigators revealed. Women were pressured to participate in lengthy, emotionally draining workshops and to recruit others into the program. They were effectively indentured, their time and energy exploited to build Daedone’s empire. The court heard testimony from former participants detailing the psychological manipulation and financial burdens imposed upon them. This wasn’t a community; it was a carefully constructed system of abuse.
Judge Gujarati didn’t stop at prison time. A $12 million forfeiture money judgment was levied against Daedone, stripping her of the ill-gotten gains from the operation. Furthermore, the court ordered $887,877.64 in restitution to be paid to the seven identified victims, a small measure of recompense for the damage inflicted. While money can’t undo the trauma, it’s a step towards accountability.
The Department of Justice’s investigation uncovered a network of deception designed to mask the exploitative practices at the heart of OneTaste. The company marketed itself as a progressive force in sexual wellness, attracting a clientele willing to invest in self-discovery. But behind the polished branding lay a dark underbelly of manipulation and control. This case serves as a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of scrutinizing seemingly empowering movements.
This conviction sends a clear message: exploiting individuals, regardless of the guise, will not be tolerated. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and expose the predators who prey on vulnerability. The sentencing of Nicole Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz is a victory for the victims, but the fight against human trafficking and exploitation is far from over. The federal case was prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source â†â€â€ÂÂÂ
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