Mike Jeffries, 80, who led Abercrombie from 1992 to 2014, entered his plea to one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of prostitution.

CENTRAL ISLIP, New York, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Mike Jeffries, former longtime chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch, pleaded not guilty on Friday to cha...

The former chief executive of the Abercrombie and Fitch clothing giant has pleaded not guilty to trafficking male models for sex parties around the world, US prosecutors said Friday. Jeffries, Smith and the pair's fixer James Jacobson allegedly used a "casting couch" ploy to groom aspiring male models to attend sex parties at which victims were plied with alcohol and drugs.

The former chief executive of the Abercrombie and Fitch clothing giant has pleaded not guilty to trafficking male models for sex parties around the world, US prosecutors said Friday. Jeffries, Smith and the pair's fixer James Jacobson allegedly used a "casting couch" ploy to groom aspiring male models to attend sex parties at which victims were plied with alcohol and drugs.

Mike Jeffries, the former longtime chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch, has pleaded not guilty to charges he ran an international sex trafficking scheme while leading the clothing retailer.

Prosecutors say 15 men were induced by "force, fraud and coercion" to engage in drug-fuelled sex parties, in which they were sometimes directed to wear costumes, use sex toys, and consume alcohol and muscle relaxants.

Mike Jeffries and his partner are accused of using fraud and force to sexually abuse young men.

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith and associate James Jacobson face sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges.