Former Abercrombie & Fitch boss to stand trial for sex trafficking and prostitution

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch is expected to be arraigned in federal court on Friday charges of interstate sex trafficking and prostitution in a New York court.

Prosecutors allege that for nearly two decades, Michael Jeffries, his romantic partner and a third man lured the men to sex parties, delaying the promise of modeling for the clothing retailer, once famous for its preppy aesthetic and marketing, all -American, with shirtless male models.

In the charges announced earlier this week, prosecutors say about 15 anonymous accusers were induced by “force, fraud and coercion” to engage in drug-fueled sex parties in New York, England, France, Italy, Morocco and St. Barts between 2008 and 2015. During the events, the men were sometimes directed to wear costumes, use sex toys and endure painful penile injections that induce erections, according to the indictment.

The charges echo allegations of sexual misconduct described in media reports and 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 an appearance Friday afternoon in federal court in Long Island, where Jeffries is expected to enter a plea to the charges.

An attorney for James Jacobson, an employee of Jeffries who is expected to be arraigned, declined to comment other than to say his client will plead not guilty.

Jeffries was released on $10 million bail after appearing in federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday.

His partner, Matthew Smith, who also appeared in court in Florida, was detained after prosecutors expressed concern that the dual US-British citizen might flee the country.

Jacobson, who prosecutors say recruited men for the sex parties, was arrested in Wisconsin and released on $500,000 bail during his initial appearance in federal court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Jeffries took over as CEO of Abercrombie in 1992, presiding over the company’s evolution from its roots as a hunting and outdoor goods store founded in Manhattan in 1892 to an integral part of teenage mall culture in the early 2000.

Abercrombie, in a statement posted on Instagram after the arrests, he said he was “appalled and disgusted” by the allegations.

The Ohio company, which also owns the Hollister clothing brand, said it had “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 staff “models”. It hired an outside law firm last year 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 have courageously spoken out 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.”

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