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| Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Faces Allegations of Exploiting Men for Sexual Exploitation |
The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, and his British partner, Matthew Smith, are facing serious allegations of exploitation involving young men recruited for sex events they organized globally. A comprehensive investigation conducted by the BBC revealed a highly organized network that used a middleman, identified as James Jacobson, to find and engage young men for these events. Eight men who attended these gatherings reported feeling exploited or abused.
It's important to note that Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Smith have not responded to requests for comment, while their middleman, Mr. Jacobson, has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the men attended these events willingly.
Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F), which also owns the Hollister brand, expressed deep dismay at the alleged behavior uncovered by the investigation.
Two former US prosecutors, who independently reviewed the documents and testimonies collected by the BBC, have called for an investigation into potential sex trafficking charges. Under US law, sex trafficking includes the act of getting an adult to travel across state or national borders to engage in sexual acts for financial gain using force, fraud, or coercion.
Over a span of two decades, starting from the 1990s, Mike Jeffries transformed A&F from a struggling heritage brand into a multi-billion-dollar teen retailer. He achieved this transformation by selling a strong sense of sex appeal, featuring shirtless male store models and provocative billboards.
Mike Jeffries, once among the highest-paid CEOs in America, faced various controversies during his tenure, including allegations of discrimination against staff, concerns about extravagant expenses, and complaints regarding the influence of his life partner, Matthew Smith, within A&F. In 2014, Jeffries stepped down from his role as CEO amid declining sales, leaving with a retirement package valued at approximately $25 million.
The BBC's investigation has unveiled allegations that Jeffries exploited young adult men for sex at events hosted in his New York residences and luxury hotels around the world, including cities like London, Paris, Venice, and Marrakesh. Over a two-year investigation, the BBC interviewed 12 men who described their involvement in these events between 2009 and 2015.
The eight men who attended these events claimed that they were recruited by a middleman, James Jacobson. Half of them alleged that they were initially misled about the nature of these events or were not informed that they would involve sexual activities. Others understood the sexual nature of the events but were unclear about what was expected of them. All attendees were paid for their participation.
One individual, David Bradberry, recalled being introduced to James Jacobson in 2010, describing him as the gatekeeper to "the owners" of A&F. However, Bradberry claimed that there was no mention of sexual activities during their initial meeting. He alleged that Jacobson pressured him into a sexual encounter, making it conditional for further discussions with A&F or Mike Jeffries. Bradberry accepted an invitation to an event at Jeffries' home in the Hamptons and reported feeling manipulated into participating.
Men who attended these events asserted that Mike Jeffries and Matthew Smith would engage in sexual activities with approximately four men or direct them to have sex with each other. Afterward, attendees claimed that they were handed envelopes filled with thousands of dollars in cash. The presence of A&F staff dressed in uniforms at these events made it difficult for attendees to decline or express discomfort.
The BBC's investigation revealed a "well-oiled machine" organizing these events, including recruiters who received fees for finding men, James Jacobson's role as a middleman who connected men to the events, intimate grooming of some attendees, and the signing of non-disclosure agreements.
Several attendees reported feeling coerced or pressured into returning to these events, hoping for modeling opportunities or better treatment. However, most of them felt harmed by their experiences.
Legal experts have suggested that the evidence collected by the BBC warrants an investigation into potential sex trafficking charges, although the burden of proof for prosecutors is high. Despite the serious allegations, Mike Jeffries and Matthew Smith have not responded to the BBC's attempts to reach them for comment.
A&F has distanced itself from Jeffries, expressing its disapproval of his alleged behavior and emphasizing its commitment to values that oppose abuse, harassment, or discrimination of any kind. The company has undergone significant changes under new leadership.
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