During the trial of OneTaste founder Nicole Daedone, jurors were presented with over 200 letters offering support for the leader of the organization often described as an "orgasm cult." These letters included endorsements from notable public figures, such as CNN personality Van Jones and actor Richard Schiff.

Support Letters for OneTaste Leader Daedone

Van Jones's Endorsement

Van Jones, a Yale-educated attorney who previously served as a special advisor to President Barack Obama, wrote a glowing recommendation for the 58-year-old Daedone to Judge Diane Gujarati.

Jones described Daedone as "a woman of uncommon wisdom, grace and moral courage." He stated that she dedicated her life to exploring "true empowerment," particularly for women, and asserted he had never known her to seek personal gain at others' expense.

The political pundit, who met Daedone in the early 2000s near San Francisco, requested leniency, calling her "one of the most thoughtful, ethical and service-oriented individuals I have met." He urged the court to consider her contributions and intentions, noting she had already faced significant public scrutiny and personal hardship.

Richard Schiff's Testimony

Richard Schiff, known for his role as Toby Ziegler on the drama series “The West Wing,” also submitted a letter advocating for Daedone. Schiff noted that his wife, Sheila Kelley, developed a close relationship with Daedone through spirituality and female empowerment groups.

Schiff admitted his personal knowledge of Daedone was limited to brief encounters. However, he emphasized the deep respect and affection his wife held for her, based on Kelley's experiences.

He explained that Sheila shared how much Daedone's work benefited her and the women she served. Schiff concluded that Daedone is both a teacher and a thinker focused on bringing honesty, awareness, and compassion to often-shamed aspects of human experience.

Trial Context and Conviction

The letters were submitted amid proceedings where prosecutors accused Daedone and former head of sales Rachel Cherwitz of recruiting victims suffering from past traumas. The accusation claimed the defendants promised to alleviate their sexual suffering.

Both Daedone and Cherwitz were ultimately convicted of conspiracy to commit forced labor. Many of the submitted letters detailed the positive benefits women experienced from "orgasmic meditation," the practice of ritualized group pleasure popularized by Daedone.

Daedone and Cherwitz have maintained their innocence throughout the process and are planning to appeal their guilty verdicts.