Former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch accused of sex trafficking: details
23 october 2024 в 20:13
Former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, has been accused of organizing sex trafficking and prostitution from 2008 to 2015 with two former accomplices — one of whom is his partner Matthew Smith, and the other is a man named James Jacobson. The federal indictment revealed 16 charges against Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson when it was unsealed on October 22, 2024.
According to the Eastern District of New York prosecutor’s office, Jeffries and Smith «relied not only on their financial resources and Jeffries' power as CEO of Abercrombie, but also on many others, including Jacobson and a network of employees, contractors, and security guards, to manage [sex trafficking and prostitution] dedicated to satisfying their sexual desires».
Jeffries was the CEO of the well-known fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch from 1992 to 2014. During his time at the company, the businessman revitalized the brand but faced controversies for creating an exclusive image for all white young adults, especially men. In a 2006 interview with Salon magazine, Jeffries explained why the company only hires «attractive people» to work in their stores.
«So we hire good-looking people in our stores. Because good-looking people attract other good-looking people, and we want to market to cool, good-looking people», - Jeffries said at the time, adding: «We don’t market to anyone other than that… In every school there are the cool and popular kids. We go after the cool kids».
Jeffries then described what he believed to be the ideal «all-American kid».
«We hire good-looking all-American kids with a lot of friends and great attitudes», - he said at the time. «A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely. Those companies that are in trouble are trying to target everybody: young, old, fat, skinny. But then you become totally vanilla. You don’t alienate anybody, but you don’t excite anybody either».
Former employees sued the brand for discrimination, and Abercrombie & Fitch’s sales declined over time. After Jeffries resigned in 2014, the brand rebranded itself with a more inclusive marketing approach.
On October 22, 2024, Jeffries was arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, along with his partner Matthew. The indictment was later revealed in Central Islip, New York, by the Eastern District of New York.
The indictment alleges that Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson forced various men aspiring to be models to engage in sexual acts. The alleged victims were reportedly required to sign non-disclosure agreements and surrender their wallets, phones, and other personal belongings during the sexual events.
Jacobson was hired by Jeffries to recruit men who would perform sexual acts, according to the federal indictment. According to the Eastern District of New York website, Jacobson conducted «auditions» for potential candidates, whom he demanded to «first engage in commercial sexual acts with him».
According to CBS News, federal authorities referred to Jacobson as «Mrs. Cook» and arrested him in Wisconsin on October 22, 2024
According to the Eastern District of New York prosecutor’s office, Jeffries and Smith «relied not only on their financial resources and Jeffries' power as CEO of Abercrombie, but also on many others, including Jacobson and a network of employees, contractors, and security guards, to manage [sex trafficking and prostitution] dedicated to satisfying their sexual desires».
Jeffries was the CEO of the well-known fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch from 1992 to 2014. During his time at the company, the businessman revitalized the brand but faced controversies for creating an exclusive image for all white young adults, especially men. In a 2006 interview with Salon magazine, Jeffries explained why the company only hires «attractive people» to work in their stores.
«So we hire good-looking people in our stores. Because good-looking people attract other good-looking people, and we want to market to cool, good-looking people», - Jeffries said at the time, adding: «We don’t market to anyone other than that… In every school there are the cool and popular kids. We go after the cool kids».
Jeffries then described what he believed to be the ideal «all-American kid».
«We hire good-looking all-American kids with a lot of friends and great attitudes», - he said at the time. «A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely. Those companies that are in trouble are trying to target everybody: young, old, fat, skinny. But then you become totally vanilla. You don’t alienate anybody, but you don’t excite anybody either».
Former employees sued the brand for discrimination, and Abercrombie & Fitch’s sales declined over time. After Jeffries resigned in 2014, the brand rebranded itself with a more inclusive marketing approach.
On October 22, 2024, Jeffries was arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, along with his partner Matthew. The indictment was later revealed in Central Islip, New York, by the Eastern District of New York.
The indictment alleges that Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson forced various men aspiring to be models to engage in sexual acts. The alleged victims were reportedly required to sign non-disclosure agreements and surrender their wallets, phones, and other personal belongings during the sexual events.
Jacobson was hired by Jeffries to recruit men who would perform sexual acts, according to the federal indictment. According to the Eastern District of New York website, Jacobson conducted «auditions» for potential candidates, whom he demanded to «first engage in commercial sexual acts with him».
According to CBS News, federal authorities referred to Jacobson as «Mrs. Cook» and arrested him in Wisconsin on October 22, 2024
© Kolganov Andrey
