Former Abercrombie CEO Jeffries denies accusations in US

Former Abercrombie & Fitch Chief Executive Mike Jeffries has pleaded not guilty to running a sex trafficking ring that forced young men to have sexual intercourse with him in hopes of a modeling career for the brand.

Jeffries, 80, entered his plea in federal court on Friday along with two other men after his arrest Tuesday. The three individuals were charged with one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution.

Prosecutors for Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, allege Jeffries used his wealth and power to traffic men around the world to meet her and her romantic partner, Matthew Smith. They allege that the third defendant, James Jacobson, procured men for the couple through sexual “experiments”.

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“Aspiring fashion models knew a spot in one of Abercrombie’s iconic ads could be her ticket to success,” Peace said at a press conference announcing the lawsuit Tuesday.

Abercrombie, who has not been charged, said he was “disgusted” by Jeffries’ alleged behavior, that his tenure at the company ended nearly 10 years ago and that he “cooperated fully with law enforcement.”

Jeffries and Jacobson were arraigned Friday before Magistrate Judge Steven Tiscione in Central Islip. Smith remains in federal custody in Florida. The defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison and a minimum of 15 years in prison if convicted of the most serious sex trafficking charge, according to peace spokesman John Marzulli.

Jeffries’ attorney, Brian Bieber, declined to comment after court. Jeffries was released on $10 million bail, secured by the signatures of his wife and son, who appeared in court on Friday. The judge said Jeffries should limit his travel to New York, Long Island and the Southern District of Florida.

Jacobson also pleaded not guilty at Friday’s hearing and his bail was set at $500,000. Jacobson’s attorney, Jeremy Schneider, also declined to comment after the hearing. Jacobson and Jeffries were ordered by the judge to return to court on December 12.

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Jeffries was sued over allegations that he forced models to take drugs and have sex with him and others in exchange for the chance to appear in the company’s provocative fashion catalogues. He also denied wrongdoing in the civil case.

New Albany, Ohio-based Abercrombie, once known for its perfumed stores and shirtless models, has made a comeback among Gen Z and millennial adults and reinvented its brand by embracing more inclusive sizing and expanding its denim offerings. Jeffries, who was hired in 1992, left the company in 2014 after the Abercrombie and Hollister clothing brands lost credibility with young shoppers.

The case is United States v. Jeffries, 24-cr-423, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (Central Islip).

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