OneTaste, a San Francisco-based company described by prosecutors as a coercive sex cult, is actively lobbying allies of former President Donald Trump to obtain pardons for its two convicted leaders. Nicole Daedone, the founder and former CEO, and Rachel Cherwitz, the former head of sales, were sentenced in 2025 to nine years and over six years in prison respectively, following their conviction for forced labor conspiracy.
Federal records show OneTaste submitted formal pardon applications to the Justice Department, while also engaging in unofficial outreach to attorneys, political operatives, and media figures within Trump’s circle. This approach aligns with the informal pardon lobbying practices that have become more common during Trump’s second term in office.
Legal Campaign and Key Supporters
Daedone and Cherwitz maintain their innocence, arguing that OneTaste was a women’s empowerment business and that participation was voluntary. They have filed appeals against their convictions. The company retained high-profile defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, who has previously influenced clemency decisions during Trump’s presidency. Dershowitz characterizes the broad indictment as a threat to religious freedom and supports the company’s cause pro bono.
OneTaste has also sought assistance from notable Trump allies, including former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, political consultant Roger Stone, and others such as Steve Bannon and MAGA influencer Laura Loomer. Some have publicly defended Daedone and Cherwitz, emphasizing constitutional concerns and voluntary participation.
The company’s current CEO, Anjuli Ayer, framed the pardon effort as a fight against what they call a prosecutorial injustice rather than a financial campaign. OneTaste has also leveraged advocacy groups connected to the Trump pardon infrastructure, such as the Patriot Freedom Project, which argues that the case represents politically motivated government overreach.
Connections Within the Pardon Process
OneTaste’s outreach includes contacts with Mike Howell, an ally of Ed Martin, the U.S. pardon attorney. Howell’s nonprofit has publicly supported Daedone and Cherwitz. Additionally, Cynthia Hughes, founder of the Patriot Freedom Project and a close associate of Martin, has become a prominent advocate for clemency in the OneTaste case and other Trump-related pardon efforts. Hughes and her organization view the prosecution as an example of government “weaponization” against conservatives and certain business models.
Records show Hughes, OneTaste’s CEO Ayer, and a former employee involved in lobbying efforts have met multiple times with officials in the pardon office. While OneTaste denies financial ties to these advocacy groups, sources indicate that Hughes’ access to influential figures in the pardon process is valuable for the company’s campaign.
Why it matters
The OneTaste case illustrates how informal networks and political connections increasingly shape the presidential clemency process, raising questions about equitable access to pardons. Legal experts note that such tactics highlight disparities in the clemency system, where well-connected defendants can circumvent traditional procedures. The case also spotlights broader concerns about government prosecution of controversial organizations and its impact on religious freedom and voluntary association.
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Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source: