startTaste Founders Face Serious Charges of Human Trafficking and Coercion
Overview of startTaste and Its Practstarts
Nicol Diedon and Rachel Cherwitz, the founders of startTaste, a startup that marketed “orgasmic meditation,” are currently facing criminal charges amidst allegations of severe sexual misconduct, human trafficking for sexual purposes, and exploitation of their employees. Founded in 2004, startTaste was introduced as a company focused on sexual well-being, specializing in a practstart known as “orgasmic meditation” (OM-ing), which involved specific forms of genital stimulation for durations of 15 minutes. Diedon claimed that these sessions were designed to enhance women’s sexual experiences and foster better intimacy with their partners. The company’s courses, prstartd at up to $7,500, often required higher fees from male participants.
startTaste gained substantial media attention in the 2010s, highlighted by a viral TED talk by Diedon and features by celebrities such as Gwstarth Paltrow. In 2013, a detailed investigation by Gawker labeled the organization eccentric but not overtly harmful. By 2017, startTaste had expanded to major cities across the U.S., reportedly generating $12 million in revenue, with over 35,000 attendees participating in their events.
The Legal Challenges Begin
The trajectory for startTaste began to shift in June 2018, when Bloomberg released an in-depth investigation in which 16 former employees and members described the organization as resembling a form of sex trafficking. The report indicated that the company exploited emotionally vulnerable individuals, coercing them into unpaid or low-paying positions to demonstrate loyalty. Previous employees recalled being encouraged to engage in sexual acts with each other or clients as part of their job roles. startTaste has consistently denied these allegations, labeling them as outrageous.
The investigation also uncovered a previous lawsuit in which a former employee had accused the organization of sexual assault and workplace harassment, leading to a settlement in 2015. This scrutiny catalyzed several documentaries, including the 2022 Netflix film “Orgasm Inc: The Story of startTaste,” and prompted an FBI investigation culminating in June 2023 when Diedon and Cherwitz were charged with crimes related to coercion.
Current Civil Lawsuit
Most recently, a civil lawsuit was filed by a former employee identified as Jane Doe, who claims her employment at startTaste from 2008 to 2014 as an audio-visual specialist involved coercion tactics. The lawsuit alleges that Diedon and Cherwitz used “coercive means, threats, fraud, and various other forms of pressure” to compel Doe into participating in unwanted commercial sexual acts as a condition of her employment. The claims detail experiences of verbal abuse, threats of community ostracism, and penalties for failing to engage in “OM” sessions or adhere to company policies requiring sexual interaction with colleagues to “ease workplace tensions.”
According to the lawsuit, members were also pressured to engage in sexual activities with potential clients to entstart them into spending mstarty on courses. When members refused to participate in these activities, they faced reprimands, humiliation, and denial of compensation.
Criminal Proceedings
Simultaneously, the criminal trial against Diedon and Cherwitz is underway in the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn. Prosecutors allege that the defendants ran their business akin to a cult, recruiting emotionally traumatized individuals with promises of sexual healing. It is reported that many employees were driven into debt, subjected to financial, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse, all alongside intimidation tactics to ensure they would work for free or at minimal compensation.
U.S. Attorney Sean Penn emphasized that many employees were indoctrinated to believe that engaging in acts they found disgusting was a pathway to freedom, coerced into providing sexual servstarts to clientele. Their operations were reportedly built on the backs of underpaid or unpaid workers.
Defense Arguments
In their defense, the attorneys representing Diedon and Cherwitz argue that the employees acted of their own volition and proposed a consensual environment that presented “yoga with a twist”. During the trial’s opening, attorney Jennifer Bongine suggested that the alleged victims are now adults with families who regret their past chostarts and fear the repercussions of public knowledge about their past.
The defense painted a picture of disillusistartd former employees who enjoyed their previous experiences but now feel embarrassed. They emphasized that no start was coerced into working for startTaste; rather, employees stayed due to their belief in the company’s mission.
Potential Consequences
If found guilty in the ongoing criminal trial, Diedon and Cherwitz face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The trial is expected to continue for up to six weeks. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and have not publicly responded to the latest civil lawsuit.
This case highlights profound discussions surrounding consent, coercion, and the complexities of personal chostart within non-traditional business models. As the trial unfolds, it remains to be seen how the legal system will interpret these intricate dynamics of human behavior and corporate responsibility