October 22, 2024
Mike Jeffries, a former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, and his British partner Matthew Smith were arrested on Tuesday in connection with a sex-trafficking investigation. The couple, and an alleged intermediary, were arrested after it was said they were involved in a sex-trafficking network that preyed on teenage male model hopefuls.
The Eastern District of New York’s U.S. Attorney’s Office has initiated a criminal investigation into the alleged incident, and more information will be made public at a press conference later today. Prosecutors revealed that Jeffries, Smith and another man had been investigated for months, in response to a civil lawsuit by one of their suspected victims.
Lawsuit Sparks Investigation
The case went viral when the former model David Bradberry filed a lawsuit charging Jeffries with sexual assault, rape and prostitution. Bradberry’s lawyer, Brad Edwards of Edwards Henderson, told ABC News: “As we laid out in our lawsuit, this was an Abercrombie-run sex trafficking organization that permeated throughout the company and allowed the three individuals arrested today to victimize dozens and dozens of young, aspiring male models.”
The suit alleges that Abercrombie & Fitch, led by Jeffries, encouraged these behaviors, did nothing to stop abuse, or sponsor the super-stupid parties where most of these alleged abuses took place.
Abercrombie’s Controversial History
The formerly legendary US brand Abercrombie & Fitch became a household name under Jeffries’ leadership in the late 1990s and early 2000s. With its outlandish marketing and exclusive branding, the company was beset with controversy, including allegations of harassment in hiring and sexual assault. In 2022, Netflix released a documentary titled White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch*, which detailed the company’s rise and the allegations of exploitation and abuse during Jeffries’ tenure.
Jeffries resigned as CEO in 2014 amid increasing criticism, but new charges and lawsuits continue to be brought. This new criminal investigation, following years of civil suits, makes public just how widespread was the supposed sex trafficking operation.
Jeffries and Smith Deny Allegations
Although Jeffries and Smith await prosecution, their attorneys have yet to comment on the charges, although they have previously denied the allegations. Both Jeffries and Smith have repeatedly claimed to be innocent in prior comments about the lawsuit, accusing the allegations of being false and libelous.
The investigation is ongoing with new victims coming forward. The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice will release additional information in the coming days as they build their case against the former fashion heiress and his friends.
With this high profile case being conducted, the questions of how institutions such as Abercrombie & Fitch let this behavior seemingly go unpunished for years will no doubt become clearer as the investigation unfolds.
Sources:
[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/)
[The Gateway Pundit](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/)
