Trigger warning: This story contains accounts of sexual violence
Despite the controversies that tainted his leadership—including a 2003 class action lawsuit for alleged racial discrimination—few could have predicted the darker secret former Abercrombie & Fitch’s (A&F) CEO Mike Jeffries was concealing. Last year, the FBI opened an investigation after the BBC exposed claims that Jeffries and his partner, Matthew Smith had sexually exploited and abused men at events held in their New York residences and hotels worldwide. On Tuesday, authorities arrested Jeffries, Smith, and their alleged middleman, James Jacobson, charging them with operating a prostitution and international sex trafficking business.
“I tried to say no repeatedly”
When Luke (not his real name) was 20, a man claiming to be a talent scout and executive assistant to A&F’s former CEO contacted him through a modeling website. Residing in Los Angeles, Luke accepted an all-expenses-paid trip to Madrid for a potential modeling job. Luke said the details were vague but he was told he’d meet Jeffries and should expect to be topless. This did not raise any suspicions for him since Abercrombie’s brand was known for its partially dressed young models.
When Luke arrived at the hotel suite in Spain, he was shocked at what he saw. The room was dimly lit and decorated like an Abercrombie store, with erotic photos of men’s abs covering the walls. Employees were role-playing as store staff and instructed him to act like a shirtless greeter. Shortly after, Jeffries and Smith appeared and immediately began touching Luke. Eventually, Jeffries forcibly kissed Luke and performed oral sex. Unable to reciprocate, Luke believed he had lost his chance at the job. He recalls wanting to leave but felt intimidated by the employees who now seemed like security guarding the exits.
“I tried to say no repeatedly. And then I just got kind of convinced to do something. But I constantly was saying no, and I wanted to go.”
Dozens and dozens of men
In 2023, following the BBC’s investigation, a civil lawsuit was filed in New York accusing the former CEO and his partner of sex trafficking, rape and sexual assault. Prosecutors alleged that Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson were running an intricate operation with the objective of trafficking men from all over the world for Jeffries’ sexual gratification.
U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Breon Peace, alleges Jacobson recruited men to conduct sexual acts, called “try outs” in exchange for money. After Jeffries approved the men, they were flown to his New York home where they were “pressured to consume alcohol, Viagra, and muscle relaxants.” Prosecutors say Jeffries and his partner even “injected men with an erection inducing substance” if they were unable or unwilling to participate.
Prosecutors allege Jeffries spent millions on international travel, hotels, staff, and security to maintain the secrecy of the operation. And that although there are 15 victims mentioned in the indictment, the operation likely “encompassed dozens and dozens of men.”
Brad Edwards of Edwards Henderson, a civil lawyer representing some of the alleged victims, said:
“These arrests are a huge first step towards obtaining justice for the many victims who were exploited and abused through this sex-trafficking scheme that operated for many years under the legitimate cover Abercrombie provided.”
Court rules Abercrombie & Fitch must pay legal fees
The civil lawsuit filed last year also accused A&F of funding Jeffries’ illicit activities during his two-decade leadership. After they refused to pay the former CEO’s legal fees, Jeffries sued the company, arguing that his employment contract required the brand to cover his legal fees. At the time, A&F claimed it had no knowledge of the operation and that it was opening its own investigation into the allegations. However, when recently asked by the BBC if they would publicize their findings, they declined to answer. Earlier this year, a judge ruled that the allegations were tied to Jeffries’ corporate role and A&F must cover his legal fees.
Edwards added:
“The unprecedented reporting of the BBC, coupled with the lawsuit our firm filed detailing the operation, are to credit for these monumental arrests. This was the result of impressive investigative journalism.”
After appearing in court on Tuesday, Jeffries and Jacobson were released on bond. Smith, however, remained in custody. Both Jeffries and Smith have consistently denied any wrongdoing through their lawyer. Jeffries’ attorney has informed the BBC that they will address the allegations in detail once the indictment is made public. As the investigation unfolds, all eyes remain on the justice system to deliver answers in a case that has shocked both the fashion world and beyond.
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