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Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO arrested in sex trafficking investigation

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO arrested in sex trafficking investigation

Topline

Mike Jeffries, the former chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch, was arrested as part of an investigation into allegations that he engaged in sex trafficking during his time at the company, lawyers for the alleged victims said Tuesday.

Important facts

Edwards Henderson, the law firm representing the alleged victims, told Forbes that Jeffries and two associates, Matthew Smith and James Jacobson, were arrested and charged with sex trafficking.

A spokesman for federal prosecutors told CNBC that Jeffries was arrested in Florida and will appear in court on Tuesday.

Edwards Henderson filed a lawsuit last year accusing Jeffries of promising young men promising corporate modeling jobs over two decades by luring them to locations around the world for sex – an allegation he has denied .

Brad Edwards, an attorney at Edwards Henderson, accused Jeffries and Smith of running “one of the most organized sex trafficking operations in U.S. history.”

Abercrombie & Fitch did not immediately respond to a request for comment, although lawyers representing Jeffries and Smith previously “strongly denied” any wrongdoing to the BBC.

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What you should pay attention to

According to Edwards Henderson, the indictment against Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson will be released later Tuesday by the District Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York.

Important background

Jeffries, CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch from 1992 to 2014, was accused in last year’s civil lawsuit of running a sex trafficking ring through the company. A lawsuit detailed alleged incidents in which potential models were interviewed, signed nondisclosure agreements and then taken to a separate room where they were forced to take drugs and have sex with Jeffries, his partner Smith and others. Brian Bieber, Jeffries’ attorney, told NBC News that the former CEO would not comment on reports about his personal life. According to the lawsuit, more than 100 victims would file a class action lawsuit against Jeffries and the company. The lawsuit followed a BBC investigation into Jeffries’ time at Abercrombie & Fitch, which involved 12 aspiring models who said they “attended or organized events” involving sexual acts with Jeffries and Smith.

Further reading

ForbesFormer Abercrombie & Fitch CEO is accused of exploiting men for sex, a report saysFrom Ana Faguy