Allegations of Sexual Exploitation Surround Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries
More men have come forward, speaking to the BBC, accusing former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and his British partner Matthew Smith of sexual exploitation, alleging abuse and forced drug injections. Among the accusers is Luke (not his real name), who recalls being lured to a presidential suite in Madrid, where the room mimicked an Abercrombie store with assistants dressed in company uniforms. He thought he was there for a photoshoot but soon found himself involved in a disturbing role-play scenario.
Luke, then 20, had been contacted via a modelling website by a talent scout claiming to represent Jeffries. He was promised the opportunity to be in a company advert if he travelled from Los Angeles to Madrid. Upon entering the suite, assistants dressed in Abercrombie polos, jeans, and flip-flops pretended to be shop workers while Luke was encouraged to act as a shirtless greeter—echoing Abercrombie’s branding at the time.
The BBC reports that the exploitation claims don’t stop with Luke. Another accuser, Chris (not his real name), described a harrowing experience in one of Jeffries’ New York homes, where an injection caused severe side effects, leaving him feeling as though he was “going to die.” Despite his distress, no one called for medical help, and Jeffries and Smith allegedly attempted to take advantage of him while he was in a disoriented state.
Former model Keith Milkie also recounted a chilling encounter involving Jeffries’ assistants, some of whom he claims played dual roles, working for Abercrombie & Fitch while also organising Jeffries’ sex events. This is the first time a direct connection has been made between official company staff and Jeffries’ illicit activities. Abercrombie & Fitch has not commented on these allegations, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
The fallout from these allegations has been significant, with Jeffries, Smith, and Abercrombie & Fitch now facing a civil lawsuit accusing them of running a sex-trafficking operation during Jeffries’ tenure as CEO. Though both Jeffries and Smith have denied any wrongdoing, a roster of attendees reveals the scale of their operations, with estimates suggesting up to 60 men were involved at any given time.
Diego Guillen, a former attendee and now a real estate broker, told the BBC he was paid $500 every Saturday to wake up men expected to attend these events. Recruited off the street, he admits he initially attended the gatherings due to financial hardship but claims he never felt exploited at the time. Despite this, he acknowledges the exploitative nature of the setup, where young men were preyed upon under the guise of lavish payments and promises of fame.
The FBI has since launched an investigation into the pair, with 20 men so far coming forward with accounts of abuse. The allegations also shine a light on the questionable involvement of Jeffries’ assistants, who allegedly travelled with him and supervised these events, even injecting some men with what they were told was liquid Viagra.
For many of the men, these events left scars of shame and confusion, as described by Luke, who tried repeatedly to say no but found himself overwhelmed by the situation. His story is just one of many that point to a sophisticated and deeply troubling exploitation network that thrived under Jeffries’ leadership.
For further understanding of the complexities of civil lawsuits in sex trafficking cases, you can explore FindLaw’s resources on civil litigation, which provide insights into the legal proceedings involved.
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