Leaders of ‘orgasmic meditation' wellness company convicted in forced labour trial
Nicole Daedone, center, founder and former CEO of OneTaste, departs Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon, File)
NEW YORK — The leaders of a sex-focused women's wellness company that promoted 'orgasmic meditation' have been convicted of federal forced labour charges.
A Brooklyn jury on Monday found Nicole Daedone, founder of OneTaste Inc., and Rachel Cherwitz, the California-based company's former sales director, guilty of forced labour conspiracy after deliberating for less than two days following a roughly monthlong trial.
Daedone's defence team had cast her as a 'ceiling-shattering feminist entrepreneur' who created a unique business around women's sexuality and empowerment.
But prosecutors argued the two women ran a yearslong scheme that groomed adherents — many of them victims of sexual trauma — to do their bidding.
They said Daedone and Cherwitz used economic, sexual and psychological abuse, intimidation and indoctrination to force OneTaste members into sexual acts they found uncomfortable or repulsive, such as having sex with prospective investors or clients.
The two told followers the questionable acts were necessary in order to obtain 'freedom' and 'enlightenment' and demonstrate their commitment to the organization's principles.
Prosecutors said OneTaste leaders also didn't pay promised earnings to the members-turned-workers and even forced some of them to take out new credit cards to continue taking the company's courses.
Lawyers for Cherwitz said in an email later that they would appeal; Daedone's lawyers didn't immediately respond.
OneTaste started in San Francisco around 2005 as a sort of self-help commune that viewed female orgasms as key to sexual and psychological wellness and interpersonal connection.
A centrepiece was 'orgasmic meditation,' carried out by men manually stimulating women in a group setting.
The company quickly opened outposts from Los Angeles to London following glowing media coverage in the 2010s. At the time, OneTaste was portrayed as a cutting-edge enterprise that prioritized women's sexual pleasure.
But Daedone sold her stake in 2017 — a year before OneTaste's marketing and labour practices came under scrutiny.
The company's current owners, who have rebranded it the Institute of OM Foundation, have said its work has been misconstrued and the charges against its former executives were unjustified.
They maintain sexual consent has always been a cornerstone of the organization. The company didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Philip Marcelo, The Associated Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
18 minutes ago
- CBC
Pentagon deploys U.S. Marines to Los Angeles as California sues Trump administration
The Pentagon has formally deployed about 700 Marines to Los Angeles to help National Guard members respond to immigration protests, U.S. Northern Command announced Monday. This came as California officials filed a lawsuit Monday against U.S. President Donald Trump in response to the administration's extraordinary deployment of the U.S. National Guard to confront people who took to the streets in Los Angeles to protest Trump's immigration crackdown in the region. Attorney General Rob Bonta said the deployment "trampled" the state's sovereignty. He planned to seek a court order declaring that Trump's use of the Guard was unlawful and ask for a restraining order to halt the deployment. "Commandeering a state's National Guard without consulting the governor of that state is illegal and immoral," California's Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom told MSNBC on Sunday. Newsom accused Trump of trying to manufacture a crisis and violating California's state sovereignty and the U.S. Constitution. Several times on X Sunday, he urged protesters to remain peaceful and told them not to "take the bait." He later warned what he called "bad actors" fuelling the flames that they would be held accountable by the state. The streets of the sprawling city of four million people were quiet Monday morning, but the smell of smoke hung in the air downtown, one day after crowds blocked a major freeway and set self-driving cars on fire as police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades. The law enforcement presence was heavy, with police cars blocking the street in front of the federal detention facility that was a focus of the protests. While much of the city was spared from any violence during the demonstrations against Trump's immigration crackdown in the region, clashes swept through several downtown blocks and a handful of other places. Arrival of troops spurred anger and fear It could take days to clear debris from burned cars and to clean off or paint over graffiti sprayed on city hall and other buildings near the detention facility. Sunday was the third and most intense day of demonstrations, as the arrival of around 300 National Guard troops spurred anger and fear among many residents. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass blamed the Trump administration for inciting tension by sending in the National Guard, but also condemned protesters who became violent. "I don't want people to fall into the chaos that I believe is being created by the administration completely unnecessarily," Bass told a news conference on Sunday. Later that night, many protesters dispersed as evening fell and police declared an unlawful assembly, a precursor to officers moving in and arresting those who refuse to leave. Some of those who stayed threw objects at police from behind a makeshift barrier. Others hurled chunks of concrete, rocks, electric scooters and fireworks at California Highway Patrol officers and their vehicles parked on the closed southbound 101 Freeway. Officers ran under an overpass to take cover at one point. U.S. officials said about 1,000 National Guard members were in the city under federal orders by midday Monday. The full 2,000 members authorized by the president were expected to be on the ground by the end of the day. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the details of military operations. Trump accuses California officials of lying Trump said Monday that the city would have been "completely obliterated" if he had not deployed the National Guard. Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, the president accused Newsom and Bass of lying by saying Guard troops were not necessary. The National Guard was deployed specifically to protect federal buildings, including the downtown detention centre where protesters concentrated. However, Police Chief Jim McDonnell told a media briefing on Sunday night that the protests were getting out of control and that officers were "overwhelmed" by the remaining protesters. He said they included regular agitators who show up at demonstrations to cause trouble. Asked if the National Guard was needed, McDonnell said police would not "go to that right away," but added, "Looking at the violence tonight, I think we've got to make a reassessment."
CTV News
22 minutes ago
- CTV News
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs' ex shares graphic details about sexual violence
Sean "Diddy" Combs appears at the premiere of "Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story" on June 21, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File) NEW YORK — Warning: This story contains graphic details and allegations of sexual assault. Sean 'Diddy' Combs forced his ex-girlfriend to have a 'freak-off'-style sexual encounter with a male sex worker last year after chasing her around her California home, putting her in a chokehold, punching her in the face and kicking down doors, the woman testified Monday. Testifying for a third day under the pseudonym 'Jane,' the woman said Combs erupted after she accused him of cheating on her. After beating her, Jane said, Combs invited a sex worker over, gave her an ecstasy pill and told her: 'You're not going to ruin my night like this.' Jane, whose injuries included a black eye and welts on her forehead, said she'd planned June 18, 2024, as as a romantic night with Combs, but now remembers it 'a very terrible day.' It's also one of the more recent examples of Combs acting violently toward a woman while seeking to fulfill his sexual desires - happening amid the federal investigation that led to his arrest last September. Combs has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could put him in prison for life. As Jane left the witness stand Monday, she told jurors: 'I just pray for his continued healing.' The couple broke up after Combs' arrest, but she said he still pays her rent. Just a few weeks after Jane alleges Combs beat her, he publicly stated that he was 'committed to being a better man every day' after video leaked of him attacking his former longtime girlfriend Cassie, the R&B singer whose real name is Casandra Ventura, at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. The Associated Press doesn't name alleged victims of sexual abuse without their consent unless they have shared their identities publicly, as Cassie has. Jane's testimony is expected to fill the bulk of the trial's fifth week, as prosecutors move closer to the end of their presentation before the defense gets its turn. Jane, who faces questioning Tuesday from Combs' lawyers, said the rapper and entrepreneur followed her to a bathroom and kicked the door 'literally off the hinges' after she shoved his head into a countertop, hurled glasses and candles at him and screamed, 'I hate you.' After moving to a locked closet, Jane said she tried to run away, but Combs kicked her in the thigh and knocked her to the ground. He then lifted her up by the neck and put her in a chokehold, she said, telling jurors: 'I couldn't breathe.' Jane said she then ran about six blocks and hid behind a wall for what she estimated was about two hours. When she figured things had calmed down, she said, she walked back to the home - but Combs was still around, walking toward her in the street. Jane said she retreated to a guest bedroom and then ran into the backyard, curling into a ball on the ground as she implored Combs to leave. He refused, she said, and 'started punching my head, he started kicking me.' Eventually, she said, 'he grabs me by my arm or my hair and starts dragging me back to the house.' Combs then followed her to the shower, she said, and smacked her in the face so hard she lost her balance and fell to the floor. Jane said she was exhausted, but Combs insisted on inviting over a male sex worker and told her to put some makeup on and adjust her hair to hide her injuries. 'I don't want to, I don't want to,' Jane recalled saying, to which she said Combs replied: 'Is this coercion?' Also Monday, Jane said she told Combs that she cried for three days and felt nauseated after reading Cassie's November 2023 lawsuit against him, which described having hundreds of drug-fueled 'freak-off' sex marathons with Combs and male sex workers. Jane, who referred to similar encounters with Combs as 'debauchery' and 'hotel nights,' said she felt like she was 'reading my own sexual trauma' as she read the lawsuit, which Combs settled within a day for $20 million. She said it followed her experience with the Bad Boy Records founder 'word for word, exactly my experience.' Cassie dated Combs for more than a decade and testified that she engaged in weekly 'freak-offs,' many lasting several for days. She said Combs often watched or filmed the sessions. Jane read aloud for the jury hundreds of text messages, including some in which she complained that Combs seemed to be forcing her into sex marathons by threatening to take away her home. She pleaded with him to recognize the damage the encounters were doing, writing: 'I am not an animal.' Article by Michael R. Sisak, Larry Neumeister. Resources for sexual assault survivors in Canada If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:
Globe and Mail
34 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Could Buying Tesla Stock Today Set You Up for Life?
For many investors, buying Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has already set them up for life, but will that be true for anyone newly buying into the stock now? Here's a look at what you need to know before buying the stock. Understanding the investment thesis for Tesla stock Tesla is an unusual stock, known to most investors primarily as the leading electric vehicle (EV) company, but that isn't the primary value driver of the stock. Indeed, if you look at Tesla solely as a car company, you would likely avoid the stock. Let's put it this way: Tesla currently trades at a price-to-earnings multiple of 192, compared to single-digit multiples at car companies like Ford Motor Company and General Motors. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » The valuation discrepancy doesn't stem from Tesla's superior profit margins or its leading position in the electric vehicle market. Instead, it comes down to Tesla being able to do something that rival car companies haven't yet done or have abandoned trying to do: launch a robotaxi service. General Motors has already abandoned robotaxi development, and Ford (which had planned to have a robotaxi service in place by 2021) ended its investment (alongside Volkswagen) in robotaxi company Argo AI in 2022. Volkswagen plans to launch its robotaxi service in 2026. So, if Tesla's valuation isn't justified in terms of being a highly successful electric vehicle company, then how should it be viewed? The following key points apply, and they make Tesla a highly attractive stock for the speculative end of your portfolio: The value in Tesla lies in its robotaxi business; this is not purely a car company stock, or even an electric vehicle stock, and its valuation reflects that. The reliance on robotaxi/full self-driving (FSD) makes it a speculative growth stock. Tesla's installed base of vehicles gives it significant advantages over Waymo and others. Tesla is not your average speculative growth stock; it holds significant advantages over typical growth stocks. Why robotaxis matter and why Tesla isn't your average growth stock The robotaxi concept and the FSD that powers it are potentially a huge earnings driver for Tesla. One of Tesla's most vocal and visible supporters, Cathie Wood's Ark Invest, which expected a valuation of $2,600 per share for Tesla in 2029, relies on a model that prescribes 88% of the company's value from robotaxis, compared to just 9% from EVs. The opportunity to earn recurring revenue from selling unsupervised FSD subscriptions to Tesla owners wanting to use their vehicles as robotaxis is massive, as is the potential to generate recurring revenue on a ride-per-mile basis from robotaxis. Moreover, Tesla plans to mass-produce its dedicated robotaxi vehicle, Cybercab, next year. A speculative growth stock That said, the robotaxi launch hasn't even taken place yet (it's scheduled for June 12 in Austin), and it will only be on a small scale initially. As such, Tesla is a speculative growth stock, an observation that suggests Tesla stock should be filed on a long list of highly speculative investments to consider on a rainy day. Why Tesla deserves a place in a balanced portfolio However, there are differences -- in fact, many differences -- between Tesla and typical growth stocks. First, speculative growth stocks are usually not established leaders in the core business that underpins their growth. The Model Y is not only the best-selling electric vehicle (EV) in the world, but it's also the best-selling car in the world. In other words, Tesla already has a compelling brand and is the market leader in the growth area of the auto market. Second, this is not a struggling small-cap stock desperately trying to establish brand recognition and promote its new technology to a sceptical marketplace. Waymo has offered a robotaxi service since 2018, and there is little doubt that consumers want to use robotaxis. Third, Tesla isn't a growth stock struggling with its finances and seeking a larger partner to invest, which would dilute existing shareholders' claims on future cash flows. A quick look at its most recent balance sheet reveals $37 billion in cash and equivalents, alongside $7.5 billion in debt and finance leases, resulting in a net cash position of $29.5 billion. Finally, Tesla's position as a cost-effective automaker with the capacity and scale to ramp up production and the vehicles on the road means it can produce robotaxis (whether Cybercab or existing Tesla models) to support growth, and it has a vast bank of data from Tesla vehicles to use to improve its FSD capability. All told, Tesla is speculative because its robotaxis haven't even been launched yet, there's a lot more certainty around the company than in most growth stocks. That makes it worth buying for the risk-seeking end of a portfolio. Don't miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you'll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a 'Double Down' stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you're worried you've already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it's too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you'd have $367,516!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you'd have $38,712!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you'd have $669,517!* Right now, we're issuing 'Double Down' alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join Stock Advisor, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See the 3 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 2, 2025
