Topline
Dozens of men have accused former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries of sexually abusing them as they pursued modeling opportunities with the brand, the BBC reported Friday, as Jeffries—who has denied the claims—faces allegations of running an international sex trafficking ring.
Jeffries pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges last year.
Key Facts
Attorneys Jared Scotto and Brad Edwards told the BBC they will represent more than 40 alleged victims of sexual abuse by Jeffries in separate class-action lawsuits, including some who claim they were Abercrombie & Fitch employees or models when they were sexually assaulted.
Jeffries, 80, his partner Matthew Smith and James Jacobson were each charged with sex trafficking and engaging in interstate prostitution in October 2024, leading Jeffries and Jacobson to plead not guilty that month while Smith pleaded not guilty in December.
The latest claims of sexual abuse date back to 1992, the year Jeffries joined Abercrombie & Fitch, according to Scotto, who noted the allegations raised questions about when the company first became aware of the allegations and when it took steps to protect staff.
Abercrombie & Fitch, which previously said it was “appalled and disgusted” by Jeffries’ alleged behavior, faces negligence charges as some of the alleged victims claim the retailer was aware of “heinous sexual crimes” committed by Jeffries and Smith.
Neither Abercrombie & Fitch nor attorneys for Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson immediately responded to requests for comment.
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What To Watch For
Edwards claimed more men were cooperating with law enforcement to investigate Jeffries and have not filed charges, suggesting more than 100 men would likely come forward.
Will Jeffries Stand Trial On Sex Trafficking Charges?
Brian Bieber, Jeffries’ attorney, disclosed in a December court filing that Jeffries was diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s and may not be fit to stand trial. A competency hearing is scheduled for June to determine whether Jeffries is fit to stand trial. Jeffries was diagnosed after several evaluations by a neuropsychologist, according to Bieber, who said he questioned Jeffries’ competency and focus as Jeffries appeared to not “come even close to resembling a master’s degree-educated individual.”
Key Background
Jeffries, who served as CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch from 1992 until 2014, was accused in 2023 of promising young men modeling jobs at the company during his tenure as he lured them to locations around the world for sex. An initial lawsuit detailed alleged incidents in which prospective models were interviewed, signed non-disclosure agreements and then taken to a separate room where they were forced to take drugs and have sex with Jeffries, Smith and others. The Justice Department filed charges against Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson in October 2024, alleging he provided financial resources to arrange “sex events.” Jacobson would travel around the U.S. to recruit and interview men for Jeffries and Smith, though prosecutors alleged Jacobson required candidates to engage in sex acts with him. Prosecutors also claimed Jeffries and Smith directed others to inject the prospective models with drugs to engage in sex acts “they were otherwise physically incapable or unwilling.” Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson have each denied the allegations, and Bieber has said Jeffries would not comment on reports about his personal life. The lawsuit followed an investigation by the BBC into Jeffries’ time at the company, which included 12 aspiring models who described “attending or organizing events” involving sex acts Jeffries and Smith.
Further Reading
Mike Jeffries Has Dementia And Late-Onset Alzheimer’s, Lawyers Say—Here Are The Allegations Against The Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO (Forbes)
