Here are all the charges against former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries

On By Littum

Upper line

Mike Jeffries, the former chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch accused of coercing aspiring models into sex while running an international sex-trafficking ring, has been diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s and may not be fit to stand trial, his lawyers in a recent lawsuit. archiving.

Key facts

Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith and James Jacobson were each charged with sex trafficking and engaging in interstate prostitution, DOJ said Tuesday, leading to Jeffries and Jacobson pleading not guilty to their charges in New York in October, while Smith pleaded not guilty in Florida earlier this month.

Prosecutors allege that between December 2008 and March 2015, Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson forced young men to participate in “sex events” they believed would give them modeling opportunities, even though they also believed it would hurt their careers if they do not comply with them.

Jeffries and Smith allegedly provided financial resources to organize the “sex events,” including paying for travel and staff to “facilitate and monitor” the events, while Jacobson traveled across the United States to recruit and interview men for them.

During those interviews, Jacobson allegedly demanded that the candidates engage in sexual acts with him, according to one charge not closed Tuesday.

Prosecutors also allege that Jeffries and Smith directed others to inject or personally injected some of the potential models with a “prescription erection-inducing drug” to engage in sexual acts “they were otherwise physically unable or unwilling.”

Neither Brian Bieber — Jeffries’ attorney — nor Abercrombie & Fitch immediately responded to requests for comment, although attorneys representing Jeffries and Smith previously “vehemently denied” any wrongdoing BBC.

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News Peg

Jeffries was diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease after multiple evaluations by a neuropsychologist, according to a court filing Monday. Bieber questioned Jeffries’ competence and focus, suggesting that the former CEO didn’t seem to “even come close to looking like a master’s degree person.” Bieber questioned Jeffries’ competence to “rationally assist” in the case, including discussing his legal defense, according to the filing. A competency hearing to determine whether Jeffries is fit to stand trial is scheduled for June.

Crucial quote

Brad Edwards, an attorney representing the alleged victims, accused Jeffries and Smith of running “one of the most organized sex-trafficking operations in American history” in a statement to Forbes.

Key background

Jeffries, CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch from 1992 to 2014, was accused in last year’s civil suit of running a sex-trafficking ring through the company. Edwards Henderson filed a lawsuit last year accusing Jeffries of promising young men modeling jobs with the company over two decades as he lured them to locations around the world for sex – an allegation he has denied. The lawsuit detailed alleged incidents in which potential models were interviewed, signed nondisclosure agreements and then taken to a separate room where they were forced to take drugs and have sex with Jeffries, his partner Smith and others. Bieber told NBC News the former CEO would not comment on reports about his personal life. The lawsuit estimated that more than 100 victims would seek class-action lawsuits against Jeffries and the company. The case followed an investigation published by the BBC during Jeffries’ time at Abercrombie & Fitch, which included 12 aspiring models who described “participating in or organizing events” involving sexual acts with Jeffries and Smith.

Key

Jeffries has faced criticism for comments he made while serving as Abercrombie’s CEO. In 2006, Jeffries told Saloon The Abercrombie clothing line was marketed exclusively toward “cool, good-looking people,” and the company “didn’t market to anyone other than that.” He later apologized, saying the company was “totally opposed” to discrimination and other “derogatory characteristics.” In 2012, a pilot who worked on Abercrombie’s jets filed a discrimination suit against Jeffries, alleging he was fired in favor of a younger man, Bloomberg reportedalthough the case was settled shortly after Jeffries was ordered to testify. Abercrombie has also faced criticism, including several lawsuits alleging the company discriminated against against minorities during the hiring process. In 2009, 17-year-old Samantha Elauf succeeded argued Abercrombie discriminated against her after she was told her hijab violated the company’s Look Policy,” which has resulted in other lawsuits against the company.

Further reading

ForbesFormer Abercrombie & Fitch CEO accused of exploiting men for sex, report saysBy Ana FaguyForbesLawsuit Accuses Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO of Sex Trafficking RingBy William Skipworth