Mike Jeffries, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO.Photo:Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic
Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic
Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of retail giantAbercrombie & Fitch, has been accused of sexually exploiting young men.
Mike Jeffries, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO.Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic
Jeffries was CEO of the brand at the height of its popularity in the late ’90s and early ’00s, afterLes Wexner(whose portfolio includedVictoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, The Limited, and more) purchased the company in 1988.
In an article published on Monday, eight men told BBC News that they attended the alleged sex events and that some of them were also exploited or abused.
Abercrombie and Fitch store in downtown Toronto.Getty
Getty
The spokesperson also reiterated that Jeffries has not been affiliated with the brand for approximately 10 years.
“For close to a decade, a new executive leadership team and refreshed board of directors have successfully transformed our brands and culture into the values-driven organization we are today,” they added.
“We have zero tolerance for abuse, harassment or discrimination of any kind.”
PEOPLE was unable to immediately reach Jeffries and Smith for comment.
According to BBC News, Jeffries and Smith could possibly face charges for sex trafficking after two former United States prosecutors independently reviewed documents from the investigation and requested one of their own.
Abercrombie & Fitch clothing.Andy Wong/AP Photo
Andy Wong/AP Photo
One individual who gave their account of events was David Bradberry.
In 2010, he was 23 years old, and met an alleged “middleman” for Jeffries and Smith named James Jacobson.
“Jim made it clear to me that unless I let him perform oral sex on me, that I would not be meeting with Abercrombie & Fitch or Mike Jeffries,” Bradberry, anaspiring modelat the time, recalled of the alleged conversation.
Abercrombie & Fitch model in New York.Mark Lennihan/AP Photo
Mark Lennihan/AP Photo
Bradberry also claimed that at a later date, he attended a party at Jeffries’former home in the Hamptonswhere drugs were involved and had sex with the ex-CEO.
Barrett Pall, a former model turned life coach and activist, also attended one of Jeffries' events in the Hamptons.
“This experience, I think it broke me,” he said. “I think that this stole any ounce of innocence that I had left. It mentally messed me up. But with the language I now have today, I can sit here and tell you that I was taken advantage of.”
In April 2022, Jeffries also came under fire when Netflix releasedWhite Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch.
Some of the topics covered in the documentary detailed controversy surrounding the brand’s exclusionary marketing practices, discriminatory hiring, and accusations of racism.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
