Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries Arrested In Sex Trafficking Probe
by Ty Roush · ForbesTopline
Mike Jeffries, the former chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch, was arrested as part of an investigation into allegations he engaged in sex trafficking while at the company, attorneys representing the alleged victims said Tuesday.
Key Facts
Edwards Henderson, the law firm representing the alleged victims, told Forbes that Jeffries and two associates, Matthew Smith and James Jacobson, were arrested and face sex trafficking-related charges.
A spokesperson for federal prosecutors told CNBC Jeffries was arrested in Florida and will appear in court on Tuesday.
Edwards Henderson filed a lawsuit last year accusing Jeffries of promising young men modeling jobs at the company over two decades as he lured them to locations around the world for sex—an allegation he has denied.
Brad Edwards, an attorney at Edwards Henderson, accused Jeffries and Smith of operating “one of the most organized sex trafficking operations in U.S. history.”
Abercrombie & Fitch did not immediately respond to a request for comment, though attorneys representing Jeffries and Smith previously “vehemently denied” any wrongdoing to the BBC.
What To Watch For
An indictment detailing the charges against Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson will be released later Tuesday by prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York, according to Edwards Henderson.
Key Background
Jeffries, the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch from 1992 until 2014, was accused in last year’s civil suit of operating a sex trafficking ring through the company. A lawsuit detailed alleged incidents in which prospective models were interviewed, signed non-disclosure agreements and then taken to a separate room where they were forced to take drugs and have sex with Jeffries, his partner Smith and others. Brian Bieber, Jeffries’ attorney, told NBC News the former chief executive would not comment on reports about his personal life. The lawsuit estimated more than 100 victims would seek class-action suits against Jeffries and the company. The suit followed an investigation published by the BBC into Jeffries’ time at Abercrombie & Fitch, which included 12 aspiring models who described “attending or organizing events” involving sex acts with Jeffries and Smith.