A recent lawsuit has thrust Abercrombie & Fitch and its former CEO, Michael Jeffries, into the spotlight. The legal action claims that the company was implicated in a sex trafficking operation allegedly overseen by Jeffries.
According to the legal complaint, Jeffries allegedly used his position as CEO to recruit individuals for castings held at various locations, including his homes in New York City and the Hamptons. The plaintiffs contend they were coerced into engaging in sexual acts and using drugs with Jeffries, his business partner Matthew Smith, and others associated with Abercrombie.
Defendants in the lawsuit include Abercrombie, Jeffries, Smith, and Jeffries’ Ohio-based company, Jeffries Family Office. Abercrombie has declined to comment on ongoing litigation, and at the time of reporting, Jeffries, Smith, and Jeffries Family Office were not immediately available for comment.
The lawsuit further alleges that Abercrombie was aware of this conduct and had previously settled claims of sexual abuse or harassment against Jeffries. It suggests that the company may have indirectly contributed to what the lawsuit describes as a «sex-trafficking conspiracy,» while Jeffries continued to amass significant profits.
Michael Jeffries is often credited with steering the company’s transformation into a successful teen-focused retailer known for its iconic stores and marketing campaigns featuring semi-nude models. He resigned from his position in 2014 amid criticism that the brand had failed to align with the changing preferences of teenage shoppers and received a severance package of over $25 million.
Since Jeffries’ departure, Abercrombie has shifted its advertising and rebranded itself as a more inclusive retailer, offering an expanded range of sizes and clothing tailored to young adult shoppers.
It’s important to note that earlier this month, the BBC initially reported the allegations brought forth by the plaintiffs, including Bradberry, who accuses Abercrombie and Jeffries of violating federal laws related to sex trafficking and other claims. The lawsuit claims that models were informed that participating in sexual acts was a routine part of the Abercrombie casting process and that they were compensated after performing such acts against their will. The plaintiffs assert that they traveled to multiple locations, including New York, London, Morocco, and France, to meet with Jeffries.
Bradberry represents a class of more than 100 individuals who claim to have been victimized and is seeking unspecified damages on their behalf.