Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, was arrested in West Palm Beach, Florida, along with his partner, Matthew Smith, on charges of sex trafficking. The 80-year-old is accused of conducting fake job interviews during which he allegedly sexually assaulted male models. He is said to have exploited his influence at the American lifestyle retailer to lure and abuse young men.
Jeffries grew up in Los Angeles, where his father owned a chain of party supply stores. In a 2006 interview with Salon, he recalled, “I would always say to my parents, ‘We need another store. We need another!'” He expressed a desire for expansion and innovation in their business, stating, “That totally turned me on.”
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Career Highlights and Controversies
Jeffries became CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch in 1996, leading the company to significant initial success. However, his tenure was marred by various controversies. In 2002, the company faced criticism over racist T-shirts and inappropriate clothing marketed to pre-teen girls. The following year, former employees sued for racial discrimination, resulting in a $40 million settlement without any admission of guilt.
His 2006 Salon interview further fueled controversy when he stated, “Candidly, we go after the cool kids… A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely.” Jeffries stepped down as CEO in 2014 after declining sales and was removed as chairman the previous year. He largely stayed out of the public eye until 2023, when new allegations of sexual assault and trafficking emerged.
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Recent Allegations
In 2023, the BBC investigated claims from several men who alleged that Jeffries sexually exploited them during events. Two former U.S. prosecutors reviewed the evidence and called for an investigation into potential sex trafficking charges. Shortly after this investigation, Jeffries was arrested along with Smith and another individual.
Charges Against Jeffries and Associates
Matthew Smith, 61, Jeffries’ partner, was charged alongside him. Additionally, 71-year-old James Jacobson is accused of recruiting men for the pair. According to Reuters, each individual faces one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution related to 15 unnamed victims.
Possible Consequences
If convicted, Jeffries and his co-defendants could face life sentences, including a mandatory minimum of 15 years for sex trafficking charges. They may also receive up to 20 years each for the prostitution charges.
