The previous CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, 80, was arrested Tuesday with two different associates. Jeffries is accused of 1 rely of intercourse trafficking plus 15 counts of interstate prostitution.
“As alleged within the indictment, former CEO of Abercrombie Michael Jeffries, his associate Matthew Smith and their recruiter James Jacobson used their cash and affect to prey on susceptible males for their very own sexual gratification,” said United States Legal professional Breon Peace. “Right now’s arrests present that my Workplace and our regulation enforcement companions won’t relaxation till anybody who engages in intercourse trafficking or interstate prostitution, no matter their wealth or energy, is delivered to justice.”
An investigation by the FBI and federal prosecutors in Brooklyn alleges that Jeffries, who was CEO of the clothes model from 1992 to 2014, used his place on the firm to carry aspiring male fashions to occasions in New York and around the globe for intercourse. The indictment alleges the crimes occurred between December 2008 and March 2015 and that the boys believed taking part “might yield modeling alternatives with Abercrombie or in any other case profit their careers.”
The indictment alleges that whereas Jeffries was CEO a “community of workers, contractors, and safety professionals” helped run a enterprise “that was devoted to fulfilling their sexual needs” and ensuring the entire thing was stored quiet.
Jeffries beforehand “vehemently denied” the allegations to the BBC. Abercrombie instructed the outlet final yr that it was investigating and was “appalled and disgusted”.
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The corporate declined to touch upon Jeffries’ arrest to USA Right now.