Mike Jeffries, former CEO of fashion giant Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F), along with his partner, Matthew Smith, has been charged with operating an international sex trafficking ring. The allegations, unveiled by federal prosecutors, mark a dramatic fall from grace for Jeffries, once a powerful figure in the fashion industry.
Jeffries and Smith, alongside a middleman named James Jacobson, are accused of exploiting vulnerable men for sex, using coercion, fraud, and force. Prosecutors claim the couple lured men into exploitative situations under the guise of high-end parties, promising payments and potential modelling opportunities with A&F. The accusations also include forced drug consumption, with men allegedly injected with erection-inducing substances, leading to disturbing and abusive encounters.
The charges came after a year-long FBI investigation, initially sparked by a BBC exposé that detailed claims of sexual abuse at events organized by Jeffries and Smith. These parties, held at Jeffries’ New York home and luxury hotels worldwide, were allegedly part of a sophisticated operation to traffick men for sexual purposes.
According to US Attorney Breon Peace, Jeffries used his wealth, influence, and corporate stature to facilitate these acts. “Mike Jeffries and his partner exploited vulnerable men, forcing them into horrific situations for their own gratification,” Peace said. Prosecutors have identified at least 15 victims, though they believe there are “dozens more.”
Recruiters, like Jacobson, played a critical role in this operation. He is accused of scouting men worldwide, engaging them in “tryouts” that involved sexual acts in exchange for money. Once approved by Jeffries, these men were flown to his home and subjected to further coercion. Victims were reportedly pressured to consume alcohol and drugs like Viagra, leaving them incapacitated and unable to resist.
Jeffries and Smith have consistently denied these allegations. Their lawyers have promised to respond in detail once the indictment is fully revealed. However, the accusations have deeply shaken Abercrombie & Fitch, a brand already tainted by its controversial former leadership.
Abercrombie & Fitch, which once dominated youth fashion, faced years of scrutiny over Jeffries’ tenure. The brand was criticized for discriminatory hiring practices and elitist marketing that excluded anyone who didn’t fit its narrow beauty ideals. Jeffries’ extravagant lifestyle, including his significant influence on A&F’s operations, had long been controversial.
In 2014, Mike Jeffries stepped down as CEO amid declining sales and growing discontent with his leadership. He received a retirement package worth $25 million despite leaving the company. Now, as accusations of trafficking and abuse surface, Abercrombie is attempting to distance itself from its former CEO. The company has declined to comment on the ongoing legal matters but maintains that it did not know about the alleged crimes during Jeffries’ tenure.
Jeffries and Jacobson were released on bail, while Smith remains detained. The case continues to unfold, with victims and advocacy groups seeking justice for the exploitation they endured under Jeffries’ operation. The former CEO’s lavish lifestyle and corporate power, once seen as hallmarks of success, are now the symbols of a darker legacy of abuse and exploitation.
