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Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries Is Arrested in Sex-Trafficking Case

Jeffries is expected to be charged with operating a sex-trafficking ring, according to people familiar with the matter.

Mike Jeffries, shown in 2009, was arrested Tuesday in Florida. Photo: AP

Mike Jeffries, shown in 2009, was arrested Tuesday in Florida. Photo: AP

Mike Jeffries, the former chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch ANF -1.65%decrease; red down pointing triangle, was arrested and is expected to be charged Tuesday with operating a sex-trafficking ring, according to people familiar with the matter.

Jeffries and his partner, Matthew Smith, were arrested in Florida as part of an investigation being led by the Brooklyn U.S. attorney’s office. Jeffries and Smith were expected to appear in a federal court later Tuesday.

The arrests follow a BBC investigation in 2023 and a civil lawsuit where male models alleged that Jeffries used promises of a job at Abercrombie to lure young men to locations around the world and coerced them to have sex with him and others.

Jeffries and Smith haven’t commented on the allegations. Jeffries ran Abercrombie from 1992 until 2014 and built the brand into a global fashion giant around sexualized marketing.

“We will respond in detail to the allegations after the indictment is unsealed, and when appropriate, but plan to do so in the courthouse—not the media,” said Brian Bieber, a lawyer for Jeffries.

A third man, James Jacobson, who allegedly facilitated the trafficking, was arrested in Wisconsin. The Brooklyn U.S. attorney’s office was expected to hold a press conference announcing an indictment against the three men later Tuesday. Smith and Jacobson couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

Abercrombie said in 2023 that it had engaged an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations and that the company was “appalled and disgusted” by them.

The civil lawsuit was brought in 2023 by David Bradberry, who alleged that Jeffries victimized men with the help of a network of co-conspirators that included Abercrombie and Smith, who attended Abercombie events and meetings. The suit estimated that “dozens and likely over a hundred young models” were victims. Bradberry’s lawyers also represented Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers. 

“As we have said in our lawsuit, this is clear sex trafficking of the most heinous kind,” said Brad Edwards, a lawyer representing Jeffries’ accusers. “These arrests are a huge step toward justice for the many victims.”

Jeffries took the helm in 1992, when Abercrombie & Fitch was part of Leslie Wexner’s retail empire, which included Victoria’s Secret. Wexner hired the retail veteran to revamp what was then a money-losing brand that he had purchased in 1988.

Under Jeffries’ leadership, Abercrombie created a “Look Book” of rules for stores and hired college students to staff them. The company used sexually themed ads and shirtless male greeters to create a cult following with teens, who clamored for its logo-emblazoned T-shirts and sweatshirts. Jeffries stepped down in December 2014 following a string of poor results.

Executives at the company, which has about 760 stores across brands including Hollister, have worked to reinvent the namesake Abercrombie brand since Jeffries’ departure. Since 2017, the CEO has been Fran Horowitz, who joined the company in 2014.

Author: Editors Desk

Source: WSJ:

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