Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch head to be arraigned on sex trafficking and prostitution charges
CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch is expected to be arraigned in court on Friday sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges in a New York court.
Prosecutors allege that for nearly two decades, Michael Jeffries, his romantic partner and a third man enticed men to participate in sex parties through the promise of modeling work for the clothing retailer, once famous for its preppy, all-American aesthetic and marketing featuring shirtless male models .
In the indictments announced earlier this week, prosecutors say that between 2008 and 2015, some 15 unnamed plaintiffs were induced by “violence, fraud and coercion” to participate in drug-fueled sex parties in New York, England, France, Italy, Morocco and St. Barts. According to the indictment, during the events the men were sometimes ordered to wear costumes, use sex toys and undergo painful erection-inducing penile injections.
The allegations echo allegations of sexual misconduct detailed in media reports made in a civil case against Jeffries, who left Abercrombie in 2014.
Jeffries’ attorney did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment ahead of Friday afternoon’s appearance in federal court on Long Island, where Jeffries is expected to enter a plea on the charges.
An attorney for James Jacobson, an associate of Jeffries who also faces charges, declined to comment other than to say his client will plead not guilty.
Jeffries was released Tuesday on a $10 million bond after appearing in federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida.
His partner, Matthew Smith, who also appeared in court in Florida, was arrested after prosecutors raised concerns that the dual US-British citizen could flee the country.
Jacobson, who prosecutors say recruited men for the sex parties, was arrested in Wisconsin during his first appearance in federal court in St. Paul, Minnesota, and released on $500,000 bail.
Jeffries took over as CEO of Abercrombie in 1992 and led the company’s evolution from its origins as a hunting and outdoors store founded in 1892 in Manhattan to a fixture in teen shopping culture in the early aughts 2000.
Abercrombie, in one statement posted on Instagram said after the arrests that he was “shocked and disgusted” by the allegations.
The Ohio-based company, which also owns the clothing brand Hollister, said it has “transformed” its brands and culture in the decade since Jeffries left.
Abercrombie stopped using ‘sexualized’ photos in marketing materials and ended the practice of calling store employees “models.” Last year it hired an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation into similar allegations against Jeffries.
“Speaking out and coming forward is not easy, and our thoughts remain with those who courageously raised their voices as part of the federal investigation,” the company wrote in its statement Wednesday. “We have zero tolerance for abuse, harassment or discrimination of any kind and are committed to fully cooperating with law enforcement as the legal process continues.”
___
Succeed Philip Marcelo twitter.com/philmarcelo.