Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges connected to an alleged international sex trafficking and prostitution ring that he is accused of operating during his tenure at the clothing retailer. Jeffries, who led the company from 1992 to 2014, entered his plea before a federal judge in Central Islip, New York, facing 16 criminal charges.
At 80 years old, Jeffries appeared in court wearing an ankle monitor, which was concealed by his sock, according to reports from the New York Post. His former employee, James Jacobson, also pleaded not guilty to the same charges. Jeffries’ partner, Matthew Smith, a dual citizen of the U.S. and the U.K., was ordered to remain in custody and is expected to plead at a later date.
Prosecutors allege that the scheme, which ran from 2008 to 2015, involved Jacobson recruiting men and paying them to engage in sexual activities. These individuals were then selected to travel to various locations, including Manhattan, the Hamptons, and several international destinations, to fulfill Jeffries’ and Smith’s sexual desires while attempting to protect Jeffries’ public image.
According to the indictment, the victims were misled into thinking they could secure modeling jobs. Instead, they faced coercive circumstances where they were forced to consume alcohol, Viagra, and muscle relaxants, engage in sexual acts against their will, and sign nondisclosure agreements. Prosecutors identified 15 victims, although they stated that dozens more may have been affected.
If convicted of sex trafficking, each defendant could face 15 years to life in prison, and up to 20 years for charges related to interstate prostitution. The allegations mirror findings from a 2023 BBC investigation and ongoing private lawsuits related to Jeffries’ alleged misconduct.
Abercrombie & Fitch has also faced lawsuits but maintains that it had no knowledge of Jeffries' alleged activities. A spokesperson for the company expressed disgust at the allegations, stating, “We are appalled and disgusted by the alleged behavior.” Prosecutors have clarified that they have no evidence indicating any incidents occurred on Abercrombie’s property.
Under Jeffries’ leadership, Abercrombie became a prominent clothing brand targeting teenage consumers, known for its provocative advertising featuring semi-nude models. However, he resigned in the face of declining sales and criticism regarding his ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences.
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