Nicole Daedone, the founder of the controversial wellness company OneTaste, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of forced labor conspiracy. Daedone, who established OneTaste as a sex-centric wellness company focused on "orgasmic meditation," surrendered to authorities and was released on a $1 million bond.

Her defense attorney, Julia Gatto, vehemently denied the allegations, portraying Daedone as a "groundbreaking feminist entrepreneur" who built a unique business centered around female sexuality and empowerment. Gatto argued that the accusations of forced labor are completely unfounded.

However, prosecutors allege that Daedone and former sales chief Rachel Cherwitz exploited individuals struggling with past trauma, manipulating them into becoming devoted followers who complied with their directives. These directives allegedly included engaging in sexual acts with potential investors or clients and accumulating debt to continue participating in OneTaste courses.

The indictment asserts that OneTaste members were sometimes pressured into uncomfortable or unwanted sexual acts under the guise of achieving "freedom" and "enlightenment." Dissent was reportedly not tolerated within the organization.

Furthermore, the indictment claims that OneTaste failed to pay promised wages and commissions to members who became employees. Originating in San Francisco around 2005, OneTaste gained notoriety for its practice of "orgasmic meditation," involving men manually stimulating women in a group setting.

The company expanded its reach throughout the 2010s, opening branches from Los Angeles to London, and garnered media attention for its focus on women's sexual pleasure. However, in 2018, Bloomberg Businessweek published an investigation that scrutinized OneTaste's marketing, labor practices, and influence over its members-turned-workers. Subsequent reports, including the Netflix documentary "Orgasm Inc.," further examined the company's practices.

Daedone reportedly sold her stake in OneTaste in 2017. While the indictment was unsealed, she was abroad and subsequently returned to New York City. Cherwitz was arrested and released on bond, and has not yet entered a plea.

OneTaste, now under new ownership, maintains that its work has been misinterpreted and that consent was paramount to its operations. The company's current co-owner, Anjuli Ayer, stated that the allegations in the indictment do not reflect the organization they acquired or their understanding of Daedone and Cherwitz.