On October 22, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was arrested on sex trafficking charges.
In addition, Jeffries’ partner Matthew Smith and middleman James Jacobson were indicted as part of an investigation led by the FBI and federal prosecutors in Brooklyn. The indictment alleges that they recruited young men and forced them to participate in parties held both in the U.S. and abroad, where they were coerced into sexual acts.
According to authorities, this human trafficking and prostitution ring was secretly operated for at least seven years, starting in 2008. Jeffries and Smith reportedly used their wealth and Jeffries’ power as Abercrombie & Fitch’s CEO to recruit staff, security, and personnel to build an organization that catered to their sexual desires. The case reportedly involves 15 victims, with more potentially coming forward.
Jacobson is accused of recruiting young men in the U.S. and overseas and conducting “tests” to coerce them into sexual acts. Many men were led to believe that attending these parties would help them secure modeling jobs, while those who refused were threatened with harm to their careers. Additionally, Jeffries allegedly supervised these “sex events” and managed them through his staff.
The indictment further alleges that Jeffries and Smith forced victims to consume alcohol and drugs, and some were even injected with erectile stimulants. This business was run with extensive resources, including international travel arrangements, hotel bookings, and security, indicating the scale of the operation.
Last year, the BBC reported that Jeffries and Smith exploited men at events in locations such as the Hamptons, London, and Venice. This report prompted the FBI to launch an investigation, which led to a civil lawsuit in New York. Jeffries, Smith, and Abercrombie & Fitch were accused of human trafficking and rape.
In the lawsuit, former “Below Deck” reality TV star David Bradberry testified that Jeffries made the brand successful by over-sexualization of young men. He also claimed that Jacobson recruited him and forced him into sexual acts at Jeffries and Smith’s parties.
The recent arrests are seen as a significant step in holding powerful individuals accountable for years of misconduct. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace stated, “Powerful individuals have for too long trafficked and abused for their own sexual pleasure young people with few resources and a dream – a dream of making a successful career in fashion or entertainment,” signaling a strong commitment to bringing this issue to an end.
At this time, Jeffries’ and Smith’s attorneys have stated that they intend to provide a detailed rebuttal in court following the indictment’s release but have withheld further comments. Abercrombie & Fitch has not yet issued a statement regarding Jeffries’ arrest, and legal developments are being closely watched.
Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) once captivated young consumers with its sexy, sophisticated image, but in recent years, it faced criticism as being “outdated” and “discriminatory,” leading to a decline in sales.
However, a shift to a mid-priced strategy sparked a revival, with the company reporting a 21% increase in sales in the second quarter of 2024, surpassing the previous year’s 16% growth. Despite this recovery, the recent arrest of former CEO Mike Jeffries could have a significant negative impact on the brand.