A Landmark Labor and Exploitation Case
The convictions mark a significant legal milestone in the evolving intersection of labor law, consent, and coercion, especially within fringe wellness movements. Prosecutors argued that invisible chains — psychological, financial, and emotional — can be as binding as physical ones.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York prosecuted the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kayla Bensing, Kaitlin Farrell, Nina Gupta, and Sean Fern leading the charge.
Daedone was represented by Jennifer Bonjean, Ashley Cohen, and Gabriella Orozco of Bonjean Law Group PLLC. Cherwitz was defended by Celia Cohen, Michael Robotti, Kelly Lin, Schuyler La Barge, and Kelly Lenahan-Pfahlert of Ballard Spahr LLP.
