2024-10-23 08:12:08 :
Former Abercrombie & Fitch chief executive Mike Jeffries, who is fighting sex trafficking, rape and sexual assault charges, was released on $10m (£7.7m) bail after appearing in court on Tuesday. His British partner Matthew Smith remains in custody. Another defendant in the case, James Jacobson, was released on $500,000 bail. They are due to appear in court again on Friday, the BBC reported.
Federal prosecutor Peace confirmed that media reports, particularly from the BBC, initially alerted authorities to the incident. Following the BBC investigation, a civil lawsuit was filed in New York accusing Jeffries and Smith of sex trafficking, rape and sexual assault.
The lawsuit also accuses Abercrombie & Fitch of funding a sex trafficking operation led by Jeffries while he was CEO.
Brad Edwards, a civil attorney representing some of the alleged victims, described the arrests as a “huge first step toward justice.” He added: “These significant arrests are a result of the BBC’s unprecedented coverage, coupled with the lawsuit brought by our company detailing this operation.”
What is the purpose of the investigation?
As part of the investigation, the BBC interviewed 12 men who said they participated in or organized sexual activities involving Jeffries and Smith between 2009 and 2015. Reports indicate that an intermediary named James Jacobson recruited many of the men.
More allegations emerged last month, with some victims claiming Jeffries’ assistants injected them with what was said to be liquid Viagra. Through his lawyer, Jacobson, 71, denied any coercion or deception, the BBC reported.
Some told the BBC they had been misled or were unaware of the sexual nature of the incident. Others claimed they were offered modeling opportunities with Abercrombie & Fitch in exchange for attending the event.
David Bradberry, then 23 and an aspiring model, told the BBC he felt forced to perform sex acts in order to meet Jeffries. “It’s like he’s selling his reputation. And the price is compliance,” Bradbury said.
He told the BBC he later attended a party at Jeffries’ Hamptons mansion and felt it was unsafe to refuse to attend due to the secluded setting and staff wearing A&F uniforms.
Following the BBC’s investigative report last year, Abercrombie & Fitch announced an independent investigation into the allegations, but did not say when the findings would be released. The company declined to comment when asked about the progress of the investigation, the BBC reported.
Jeffries, Smith and Abercrombie & Fitch are fighting to have the civil suit dismissed. The company argued it had no knowledge of Jeffries’ alleged activities. However, a U.S. court earlier ruled that A&F must bear Jefferies’ legal fees because the charges related to his role at the company.
In a statement provided to the court, Abercrombie said the company “abhors sexual abuse and condemns the alleged conduct,” according to the BBC.
Jeffries resigned as chief executive in 2014 due to falling sales and received a pension worth $25m (£20.5m). He was once one of the highest-paid CEOs in the United States but was often criticized for alleged discrimination and lavish spending, as well as the influence of his partner Smith within the company.
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