Florida authorities arrested former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries on charges of sex trafficking-related offenses, following a 2023 lawsuit filed by a former model for the brand.
Prosecutors have also charged two of Jeffries' associates: Matthew Smith of West Palm Beach, Florida, and James Jacobson of Wisconsin, in connection with the case, according to CNBC.
Jeffries, who left Abercrombie in 2014, transformed the chain from a struggling hunting apparel retailer into a must-have teen clothing brand. However, he faced criticism for the company's sexualized marketing, including billboards and muscular models alienating potential customers who didn't fit its image.
David Bradberry filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging Jeffries directed modeling scouts to scour the internet and other sources to identify attractive young men seeking to become the next face of Abercrombie. The lawsuit contends many of these prospective models became victims of sex trafficking, sent to New York and abroad, and abused by Jeffries and other men under the pretense of being recruited as Abercrombie models.
"Jeffries was so important to the profitability of the brand that he was given complete autonomy to perform his role as CEO however he saw fit, including through the use of blatant international sex-trafficking and abuse of prospective Abercrombie models," the suit alleges.
Newsweek reached out to Abercrombie & Fitch Headquarters, however, they said they do not have a comment on this incident.
Last year, Abercrombie announced it had hired an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation after the BBC aired a report on similar allegations.
The BBC investigation included a dozen men who described attending events where Jeffries and his partner, Smith, staged sex acts, often at Jeffries' home in New York and at hotels in London, Paris, and other locations.
Jeffries and Smith will appear in federal court in the Southern District of Florida later Tuesday, while Jacobson will appear in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.
A spokesman confirmed the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of New York will arraign all three men at a later date, according to the outlet.
What is Abercrombie and Fitch?
Abercrombie & Fitch is an American retail brand known for its casual clothing and accessories, primarily targeting young adults and teens.
Founded in 1892, it originally focused on outdoor apparel but later shifted to a lifestyle brand, emphasizing a preppy, sporty aesthetic. The brand gained significant popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, becoming synonymous with youth culture and fashion trends.
Abercrombie & Fitch operates its flagship stores as well as various sub-brands, including Hollister Co. and Abercrombie Kids. The brand has faced criticism over its marketing practices and controversies related to its hiring and body image policies
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