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Trigger Warning: This article discusses alleged sexual assault and sex trafficking.
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, Mike Jeffries, 80, has been arrested alongside his partner, Matthew Smith, and former employee James Jacobsen, on charges of sex trafficking in the United States.
Prosecutors for the case are accusing the three men of using their wealth, status, and promises of a lucrative modelling career for the US retailer, as a lure for their own personal gain.
As part of an indictment unsealed in federal court, the alleged events occurred between December 2008 and March 2015, and involve the group “using a combination of force, fraud and coercion to traffic men while operating a prostitution enterprise.”
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Breon Peace, held a press conference to announce the indictment, stating that he and his office have a ‘zero tolerance’ stance on crimes of this nature.
“Today’s arrests show that my Office and our law enforcement partners will not rest until anyone who engages in sex trafficking or interstate prostitution, regardless of their wealth or power, is brought to justice.”
The arrest comes at a time when Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is currently awaiting trail for charges relating to sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution, among others.
“The defendants allegedly preyed on the hopes and dreams of their victims by exploiting, abusing, and silencing them to fulfil their own desires, with insidious secret intentions,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.
“This case is yet another example of individuals using their wealth, power, or reputation to manipulate and control others for their personal gratification. The FBI and our partners won’t allow these criminal acts to go unchecked, we remain committed to investigating and bringing these cases forward to prosecution.”
While the new charges are making headlines, it’s not the first time the former fashion executive has faced allegations of sexual exploitation. Last year, a BBC investigation, published testimony of eight men who claimed to have been involved in a “highly organised network” of exploitation and abuse.
According to the two-year investigation which led to federal involvement, and the subsequent indictment, Jeffries and his partner, Smith used Jacobson as a “middleman” to recruit young men for sex, at events run in New York, London, Paris, Venice and Marrakesh.
When approached for comment about his client’s case, a legal representative for Jeffries told the Wall Street Journal, “We will respond in detail to the allegations after the indictment is unsealed, and when appropriate, but plan to do so in the courthouse – not the media.”
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