Verdict Reached in “Orgasm Cult” Case
A federal jury has reached a verdict. The leader of a controversial wellness organization has been found guilty of manipulating members to engage in sexual activities with clients and investors.
Nicole Daedone, 57, the founder of Onetaste, along with former sales director Rachel Schelwitz, 44, faced a four-week trial in Brooklyn. Prosecutors claimed they undertook a decade-long pattern of coercive behavior and sexual misconduct.
Nine former employees testified, describing the company’s cult-like atmosphere. According to the testimony, both Daedone and Schelwitz exploited them and encouraged various sexual acts.
U.S. Attorney Assistant Nina Gupta noted, “These nine victims dedicated over ten years of service, which included everything from basic necessities to sexual activities.”
Daedone and Schelwitz could face up to 20 years in prison after a jury deliberated for 12.5 hours over two days, ultimately convicting them of conspiracy to commit forced labor.
This case highlights the practices surrounding “orgasmic meditation,” which featured group sessions designed to foster intimacy. However, scrutiny intensified following a Netflix documentary exposing allegations that employees were pressured to flirt and engage sexually with potential clients.
The allegations further suggest that Daedone and Schelwitz operated their enterprise akin to a cult, preying on individuals who had previously experienced trauma under the guise of alleviating their sexual issues.
In one instance, Schelwitz allegedly requested a survivor of sexual assault to reenact her trauma before a course audience. Gupta commented that the intention was to shift participants from a state of revulsion to arousal.
Prosecutors indicated that Daedone had previously referred to Onetaste as a “sex cult” in its initial phases, suggesting a lack of transparency surrounding its operations.
Founded in San Francisco in 2004, Onetaste initially aimed at promoting female empowerment but later came under fire for its exploitative practices, revealing a stark contrast between its public image and internal reality.
Gupta asserted that Daedone and Schelwitz directed young women to provide sexual services to high-profile clients, coercing victims and leaving them vulnerable.
The defense claimed that prosecutors improperly framed the situation and argued that the alleged victims were not coerced, as no formal complaints were made during their tenure.
Despite the defense’s arguments, the jury found the accusations credible. They emphasized that the defendants had taken advantage of vulnerable individuals, manipulating them under false pretenses of empowerment.
Following the verdict, legal representatives for Daedone and Schelwitz expressed disappointment and intend to appeal the decision, citing complex legal matters that warrant a review by the second circuit.
In a joint statement, their attorneys expressed their commitment to proving their clients’ innocence, attributing their strength to the challenges faced during the trial.
