How a Sex Cult-Linked Company Is Using Trump Allies to Lobby for Pardons

OneTaste, a San Francisco-based company convicted of running a forced labor conspiracy that prosecutors compared to a sex cult, is pulling out all the stops to secure presidential pardons for its former CEO Nicole Daedone and ex-head of sales Rachel Cherwitz. Both women received lengthy prison sentences in 2025—nine years for Daedone and over six for Cherwitz—after being found guilty of coercing employees into degrading and sexual acts for little or no pay.

Rather than relying solely on the official clemency process, OneTaste has adopted the Trump-era playbook for back-channel lobbying. The company is actively courting key figures in Trump’s orbit, including attorneys, political operatives, and media personalities known for their influence with the former president. This strategy reflects a broader pattern under Trump’s second term, where pardon seekers bypass formal channels and instead leverage personal connections and political favors to gain clemency.

Alan Dershowitz, a high-profile defense lawyer with deep ties to Trump, has taken on OneTaste’s case pro bono after initially being paid for legal advice. Dershowitz claims the prosecution threatens religious freedom, framing OneTaste’s "orgasmic meditation" as a protected practice. Meanwhile, OneTaste has reached out to controversial Trump allies such as former Congressman Matt Gaetz, political consultant Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, and MAGA influencer Laura Loomer. Gaetz, who faced his own federal sex trafficking investigation, publicly defended the company on his One America News show, dismissing the forced labor allegations. Stone and Bannon have also voiced support or engaged with the case in various forums.

Behind the scenes, OneTaste’s lobbying extends to Washington insiders. A former employee connected with the group has briefed members of the House Judiciary Committee and influential think tanks like the Cato Institute and ACLU, attempting to frame the convictions as a miscarriage of justice. This outreach coincides with the committee’s leadership under Republican Jim Jordan, known for his hardline stances and close ties to Trump.

Legal experts warn that this pardon campaign exemplifies the erosion of a fair clemency process, where those without powerful connections face a "non-functioning" system. Law professor Rachel Barkow calls the scale of these informal lobbying efforts unprecedented, underscoring how Trump’s pardon power has become a tool for rewarding loyalty rather than upholding justice.

White House officials continue to insist there is a rigorous pardon review process involving the Justice Department and White House counsel. But the pattern of Trump granting clemency to allies and those who hire his network’s fixers tells a different story—one where influence and political allegiance trump the rule of law.

OneTaste’s case is a stark example of how corruption and cronyism infect the highest levels of government, allowing convicted criminals linked to abusive schemes to seek and sometimes receive presidential forgiveness. As Trump’s pardon machine churns, it’s clear that accountability and justice are the first casualties.