By Michael Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, pleaded not guilty Friday to federal sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges, marking a dramatic fall for the retail executive who once led one of America’s most prominent clothing brands.
Jeffries, 80, appeared in federal court in Central Islip, Long Island, where he was released on $10 million bond secured by property on Miami’s exclusive Fisher Island. The former executive, who transformed Abercrombie from a traditional outfitter into a teen fashion phenomenon, faces allegations of operating a sophisticated sex trafficking operation between 2008 and 2015.
Federal prosecutors allege Jeffries, his romantic partner Matthew Smith, 61, and former employee James Jacobson, 71, lured men into sex parties by promising modeling opportunities with the retailer. Court documents detail accusations from 15 victims who say they were coerced through “force, fraud and coercion” into drug-fueled encounters at locations ranging from the Hamptons to luxury hotels across Europe and Morocco.
The indictment alleges victims were sometimes directed to wear costumes, use sex toys, and submit to painful erection-inducing injections. Jacobson, accused of recruiting men for the events, also pleaded not guilty after his arrest in Wisconsin. Smith remains detained after prosecutors raised flight risk concerns, citing his dual American-British citizenship.
Abercrombie & Fitch responded to the arrests with an Instagram statement declaring the company “appalled and disgusted” by the allegations. The Ohio-based retailer emphasized its transformation since Jeffries’ 2014 departure, including ending “sexualized” marketing and the practice of calling store staff “models.”
“Speaking up and coming forward is not easy, and our thoughts remain with those who have bravely raised their voices as part of the federal investigation,” the company stated, noting its zero-tolerance policy for abuse and commitment to cooperating with law enforcement.
Jeffries, who led Abercrombie from 1992 to 2014, is scheduled to return to court December 12. The case echoes previous sexual misconduct allegations detailed in media reports and civil litigation during his tenure as CEO.
