NEW YORK CITY, New York: The leader of a sex-focused women's wellness company that promoted "orgasmic meditation" was on March 30 handed down a nine-year prison term for exploiting vulnerable women and forcing them to sleep with the company's clients and investors.

Nicole Daedone, co-founder of OneTaste Inc., also forfeited US$12 million.

According to federal prosecutors, seven of Daedone's victims were awarded roughly $890,000 in restitution.

"Coercion disguised as wellness or empowerment is still exploitation, and it is a crime that causes harm to vulnerable victims," Joseph Nocella, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement.

Daedone chose not to speak in a federal court in Brooklyn. One victim told the judge that she had believed in Daedone's so-called feminist mission, but ended up suffering serious financial loss and emotional harm, according to the Daily News. The victim said she had fallen into Daedone's trap and felt she had been an easy target.

U.S. District Court Judge Diane Gujarati, while giving the sentence, said Daedone did not seem sorry, even though many of her supporters attended the hearing. The judge said Daedone's actions were not about enlightenment or any higher idea, but were criminal.

Prosecutors had asked for a 20-year prison sentence, saying her actions had left many victims financially, emotionally, and psychologically damaged. They said Daedone and her partners controlled people through money pressure, mental manipulation, physical exhaustion, and emotional abuse, causing serious harm.

Daedone's lawyers argued that such a long sentence would be unreasonable and instead asked for about two years. They said she had no previous criminal record and that more than 200 people had written letters praising her character, generosity, and positive influence.

Her lawyers said she had lived a unique and meaningful life and was respected by many people, including those not connected to her company, OneTaste.

Among her supporters was Van Jones, who described her as a person of wisdom, grace, and courage who had spent her life helping others heal and feel empowered. Actor Richard Schiff also supported her, saying she deserved leniency because she had tried to bring compassion and understanding to an often misunderstood area.

After the sentencing, her lawyers said they would appeal the conviction. They also said Daedone had been teaching meditation to other inmates since being convicted last June for forced labor conspiracy. Lawyer Alan Dershowitz said he would seek a pardon from Donald Trump for Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz, the company's former sales director.

Cherwitz was sentenced to six and a half years for her role. Prosecutors said the two women used financial pressure, sexual and mental abuse, threats, and strong influence to force members into sexual acts they did not want, including with potential clients or investors.

Prosecutors said the women told followers that these acts were necessary to gain freedom and enlightenment, and to show loyalty to the company.

However, one of Daedone's lawyers described her as a groundbreaking feminist businesswoman who created a company focused on women's sexuality and empowerment.

Daedone co-founded OneTaste in San Francisco in 2004 as a self-help group that believed female pleasure was key to emotional and sexual well-being. A central practice was "orgasmic meditation," where men stimulated women in a group setting.

Daedone sold her share in 2017 for $12 million, a year before the company's practices came under investigation. The company's current owners say their work has been misunderstood and that the charges against the former leaders were not justified.