OneTaste Courts Trump Allies in Push for Pardons After Forced-Labor Convictions

A San Francisco company prosecutors likened to a "sex cult" has launched an aggressive campaign to enlist allies of former President Donald Trump as it seeks clemency for its two convicted leaders, according to interviews and public records reviewed by CBS News.

Background

OneTaste, which promotes a practice it calls "orgasmic meditation," is seeking pardons for founder and former CEO Nicole Daedone and former head of sales Rachel Cherwitz. Federal prosecutors won convictions in 2025 on forced-labor conspiracy charges; in late March 2026 a judge sentenced Daedone to nine years in prison and Cherwitz to more than six years. Both women have filed appeals.

The Pardon Campaign

Alongside formal clemency applications filed with the Justice Department, OneTaste has pursued informal, back-channel outreach commonly seen during Mr. Trump's second term. The effort has included contacting lawyers, political operatives, media personalities and other figures in the former president's orbit to generate public support and attract presidential attention.

"It's of a magnitude that I've never seen before," said Rachel Barkow, a New York University law professor who studies executive clemency, describing the campaign's scale and the way it highlights the uneven accessibility of informal clemency channels.

Key Players and Outreach

High-profile figures who have spoken about the case include defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, former Rep. Matt Gaetz and longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone. Dershowitz — who initially advised OneTaste for a fee on appeal and has since continued work pro bono — argued the indictment raises religious-freedom concerns. Gaetz devoted a segment on his One America News show to the case; Stone discussed it on his podcast.

OneTaste also sought engagement from Steve Bannon and influencer Laura Loomer; both either declined or did not recall the outreach. The company previously hired MAGA-connected attorney Adam Katz, who sent a pre-conviction letter to the Justice Department requesting review of the prosecution.

Organized Support And Connections To The Pardon Office

Allies linked to the pardon-review process have promoted OneTaste's claims that participants acted voluntarily. Marcus Ratnathicam, a former employee, reached out to Mike Howell of the Oversight Project and briefed some congressional staff and outside think tanks. The Oversight Project later published a report highlighting the case.

OneTaste has also found a vocal advocate in Cynthia Hughes, head of the Patriot Freedom Project and a close associate of U.S. pardon attorney Ed Martin. Visitor logs show Hughes attended multiple meetings at the pardon office with Martin and others; records reviewed by CBS News indicate OneTaste CEO Anjuli Ayer and Ratnathicam attended two of those meetings in early 2026. Hughes' group has characterized the prosecution as politically motivated and promoted commentary from Dershowitz and Stone.

Responses And Criticism

Prosecutors maintain that Daedone and Cherwitz ran an abusive operation that coerced staff into degrading and traumatic tasks, including sexual acts, for little or no pay. Defense attorneys contend OneTaste was a women's empowerment business and that members were free to leave; the defendants have filed appeals.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration has a "robust pardon review process" and dismissed paid lobbying for pardons as likely wasteful. Critics say the OneTaste campaign illustrates how informal networks and high-profile allies can influence clemency decisions — a concern for those who lack such access.

What’s Next

OneTaste continues to press both formal and informal channels for clemency while the convictions are under appeal. The case has become a flashpoint in debates over the clemency process, government overreach and how political influence shapes access to presidential mercy.