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Former Abercrombie CEO charged with sex trafficking of male models

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Former Abercrombie CEO charged with sex trafficking of male models

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Michael Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has been arrested and is facing charges along with two others for running a secret, international sex trafficking scheme that lasted years, cost millions of dollars and involved dozens of victims, prosecutors said Tuesday with.

Jeffries, who was the clothing company's CEO from 1992 to 2014, as well as Matthew Smith of West Palm Beach and James Jacobson of Wisconsin were charged with sex trafficking and engaging in interstate prostitution, Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said at a press conference.

The operation involved transporting young, aspiring male models to events in New York City and other locations around the world and forcing them to have sex. The men believed that participating in the events would provide them with modeling opportunities and advance their careers.

“To anyone who thinks they can exploit and coerce others by using this so-called casting couch system, this case should serve as a warning: Prepare to trade that couch for a bed in federal prison,” Peace said .

More: The Fitch is back: How Abercrombie enjoyed a renaissance by appealing to millennials

Brian Bieber, Jeffries' attorney, said in a statement to USA TODAY that they will respond to the allegations “after the indictment is vacated and when appropriate, but plan to do so at the courthouse – not in front of the media.” “

According to the BBC, Jeffries has previously “vehemently denied” any wrongdoing.

Abercrombie said last year it was “horrified and disgusted” and hired a law firm to investigate allegations in a BBC report that Jeffries recruited young men for sex. The company declined to comment on Jeffries' arrest and did not immediately respond to questions about the status of the independent investigation into the allegations against him.

If convicted on the sex trafficking charge, the defendants each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison, according to John Marzulli, a spokesman for Peace's office. The interstate prostitution charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

The indictment says Jeffries sex trafficked men around the world

Peace said the indictment alleges in graphic and disturbing detail that while Jeffries was CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch, he “used his power, wealth and influence to attract men for his own sexual pleasure and that of his romantic partner Smith.” to act”.

Jeffries and Smith employed Jacobson as a “recruiter” to find men and pay them for sexual acts, Peace said. Smith would personally select men who would be flown to the couple's homes in the Hamptons or to hotels around the world “to engage in commercial sex,” Peace said.

The defendants are said to have used a “secret staff” to hold events in which victims were provided with drugs and alcohol and forced to engage in sexual activity. The employees allegedly helped keep the events secret by ensuring the men turned over their phones and signed nondisclosure agreements.

Peace said they led the men to believe that not complying with their demands would harm their careers, and if they did not agree or could not comply, Jeffries and Smith would forcibly subject them to violent sexual contact.

Peace said the illegal operation lasted from at least 2008 to 2015 and required millions of dollars to support its vast infrastructure and maintain secrecy. Although only 15 men are identified as John Does in the indictment, prosecutors believe “dozens and dozens” of victims were involved, according to Peace. He thanked the victims for coming forward and encouraged everyone else to contact the FBI.

“Prosecutions like this are truly impossible without the courage of victims who are willing to report what happened to them to law enforcement,” Peace said.

Jeffries and Abercrombie are also facing a lawsuit

The news comes after a group of once-aspiring male models from Abercrombie & Fitch filed a class-action lawsuit against Jeffries and Abercrombie last year, alleging the retailer looked the other way while Jeffries ran a sex trafficking ring and sexually abused scores of young men.

Brad Edwards, a lawyer representing the men in the case, said: “All four defendants, including Abercrombie and Fitch, tried everything possible to delay the continuation of our lawsuit, presumably because they knew it would lead to criminal arrests would.”

The proposed class action lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court by former model David Bradberry, alleges that Jeffries forced models to take drugs and engage in sexual acts with him and others for the chance to be featured in Abercrombie's provocative catalogs become. The lawsuit alleged that company executives knew about the conduct and that Abercrombie paid compensation to people who accused Jeffries of sexual abuse or harassment.

“In return for the position of power and unfettered access to corporate funds that Jeffries needed to sexually terrorize aspiring male models, Abercrombie knowingly and intentionally profited from Jeffries and his sex trafficking operation and received things of value, including the value that Jeffries himself brought. “to the trademark,” the lawsuit said.

Brittany Henderson, another attorney who represents some of the aspiring models, called the arrests “monumental” in a statement to USA TODAY on Tuesday.

“Your fight for justice doesn’t end here,” Henderson said. “In addition to supporting law enforcement, our clients look forward to holding Abercrombie and Fitch liable for enabling this terrible behavior and ensuring that something like this cannot happen again.”

Late last year, Jeffries sued his former employer because he refused to cover his costs in the lawsuit. A judge ruled earlier this year that the allegations were related to Jeffries' corporate role and that the retailer must pay the costs of his legal defense, the BBC reported.

Who is Michael Jeffries?

Jeffries became president and CEO of Abercrombie in 1992, when the small, loss-making chain formerly known for selling sports equipment and clothing was part of Leslie H. Wexner's then-retailing empire called The Limited. Jeffries became chairman in 1996 and The Limited spun the chain off into an independent company in 1998.

Jeffries was credited with turning the retailer into a successful maker of teen clothing, known for its perfume-filled stores and ads featuring half-naked models. Jeffries became one of the highest-paid CEOs in the United States, at one point earning a salary package estimated to be more than $140 million.

Jeffries, who also developed Abercrombie & Fitch's Hollister Co. brand, said the retailer's clothing is inspired by the laid-back California lifestyle and is aimed at teenagers and young adults. The branding led to explosive growth.

But under his leadership, the company caused controversy.

Abercrombie produced a hybrid magazine catalog featuring partially nude models that included articles like “Drinking 101,” made T-shirts with phrases that insulted various groups, and for years stopped selling clothing in larger sizes to maintain an image.

An age discrimination lawsuit in 2012 revealed the existence of an aircraft standards manual that dictates how the models and actors who serve Jeffries on the company jet should dress and behave. Men should be clean-shaven and wear boxer shorts, flip-flops and a spritz of the chain's signature cologne.

He abruptly retired in 2014 at age 70 after appearing to lose touch with the retailer's youth audience amid several years of weak sales.

Abercrombie's legal troubles with California

In 2003, Abercrombie & Fitch settled with the California Labor Inspectorate for $2.2 million for forcing its employees to purchase the company's clothing in order to work at the retailer. The settlement required the company to compensate former employees for forcing them to buy clothing bearing the company's brand. It also allowed employees to wear logo-free clothing that matched A&F's season and style.

The state found that the company violated California's work attire law, which requires employers to provide the clothing if they require their employees to wear certain clothing.

Over the years, Abercrombie & Fitch has also been accused of employment discrimination.

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