Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries has pleaded not responsible to intercourse trafficking and interstate prostitution expenses.
The 80-year-old appeared at federal court docket in Central Islip, on Lengthy Island, New York, to enter his plea.
He’s due again in court docket on 12 December and is free on a $10m (£7.7m) bond.
It’s alleged that for years Jeffries, his romantic accomplice Matthew Smith, and a 3rd man, James Jacobson, lured males into collaborating in intercourse events by promising modelling for the clothes retailer.
Jacobson, 71, an worker of Jeffries, deliberate to plead not responsible, his lawyer stated earlier than right this moment’s listening to.
Picture:
James Jacobson. Pic: Reuters
Smith additionally appeared in court docket and was detained after prosecutors raised issues the twin American and British citizen may flee the nation.
In expenses introduced earlier this week, prosecutors say 15 accusers had been induced by “force, fraud and coercion” to interact in drug-fuelled intercourse events wherein the lads had been generally directed to put on costumes, devour alcohol and muscle relaxants, use intercourse toys and endure painful erection-inducing penile injections.
They had been additionally required to signal non-disclosure agreements, the indictment stated.
The occasions befell between 2008 and 2015 within the Hamptons, the resort on Lengthy Island the place Jeffries has a house, in addition to at motels in England, France, Italy, Morocco and St Barts, in accordance with the indictment.
Prosecutors say Jacobson acted as a recruiter, paid males to have intercourse with him then selected who could be paid to journey to international locations world wide to have intercourse with Jeffries and Smith.
Whereas victims had been led to imagine that their efforts may result in modelling jobs, the scheme’s true function was to fulfil Jeffries’ and Smith’s sexual wishes with out tarnishing Jeffries’ status, they stated.
Every defendant faces 15 years to life in jail if convicted of intercourse trafficking, and as much as 20 years in jail if convicted of interstate prostitution.
The costs echo accusations in a 2023 BBC investigation and personal litigation on behalf of Jeffries’ accusers.
Abercrombie has additionally been sued, however has denied data of Jeffries’ alleged misconduct. The New Albany, Ohio-based firm was not charged within the prison case.
Jeffries constructed Abercrombie into a well-liked clothes model targeted on teen consumers, utilizing splashy, sexually charged advertising that included adverts with semi-nude fashions.
He resigned amid falling gross sales and criticism he was dropping his contact with clients’ altering tastes.
In an internet submit, Abercrombie stated it was “appalled and disgusted” by the accusations towards Jeffries, and that it has since his departure “transformed our brands and culture into the values-driven organisation we are today.”
