Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries has reportedly been arrested in Florida in connection with a sex trafficking investigation.
As first reported by ABC News, Mike Jeffries, who served as Abercrombie’s CEO from 1992 to 2014, was arrested as pat of an investigation sources said was focused on allegations of Jeffries being among three men accused of hosting parties where they victimized young models. Jeffries’ partner, Matt Smith, was also arrested on Tuesday, as was a third individual, identified in reports as Jim Jacobson.
For now, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York hasn’t issued a formal press release on the arrest or charges in the case. A press conference, however, is set for later on Tuesday, at which point more details are expected to be made public.
A separate report from NBC News states that Jeffries was arrested in the West Palm Beach area on charges related to alleged instances of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. As you may or may not recall, Jeffries was the subject of an investigative piece from BBC in 2023 in which he was accused, in part, of exploiting young men at parties held at various locations around the world. Abercrombie launched an investigation into the allegations, which included claims of payouts over unspecified complaints about Jeffries’ behavior.
Later that same year, Abercrombie and Jeffries were sued, with a former model making allegations of forced drug use and sex acts.
When reached for comment by Complex on Tuesday, Brian Bieber, an attorney for Jeffries, offered the following: “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.”
An Abercrombie rep declined to comment.
Related
Read the full article here
