Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith, and their recruiter James Jacobson have been arrested; they face charges for sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. All three men, in addition to Abercrombie & Fitch, have been named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by victims.
A Review of the Situation
According to federal prosecutors, Jeffries (80), Smith, (61), and Jacobson (71) operated an elaborate sex trafficking and prostitution ring. Reportedly, they abused over a dozen aspiring young male models, with the youngest being just 19 years old. The abuse allegedly occurred for almost a decade – from 2008 to 2015.
Jeffries is said to have abused his “power, wealth, and…influence” during this time to traffic young men for his own sexual pleasure. Jacobson, the recruiter, lured victims (which were store employees and models) to “sex parties” around the world. Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson reportedly promised their victims modeling careers.
According to reports, Jacobson would pick out “prospective candidates.” He required them to have a “sexual encounter or tryout” with him. Then, the young men were sent to Smith, who “approved” candidates. Victims experienced “high-pressured enemas” and the “insertion of large sex toys into the anus” during this so-called trial.
Victims were forced to take drugs and to use lubricants. Some victims were given with erection-inducing injections. Both Jeffries and Smith administered these injections, although they also directed others to inject these drugs. This allowed the men to “engage in sex acts in which they were otherwise physically incapable or unwilling” to participate in. The shots allowed Jeffries and Smith to “fulfill their own sexual desires” as victims had no choice but to submit to them. Victims suffered painful physical reactions that lasted hours as a result of the injections.
Victims were also forced to wear costumes and use sex toys. Reportedly, Jeffries and the others would shave victims’ genitals during the time leading up to “sex parties” or “sex events.” These events were held at Jeffries’ mansions in Watermill and in Manhattan, although some victims were sent out in jets to hotels around the world or even on “luxury international cruise ships” where they suffered further sexual attacks.
At least two victims told authorities that they were subjected to nonconsensual anal sex at Jeffries’ Hamptons home. Reportedly, Jeffries held down their head, forcing them to take drugs, before the sexual acts occurred.
The allegations highlight the extensive network that targeted vulnerable individuals, young men looking for opportunities to either become models or to advance in their modeling careers. Reportedly, Jeffries and Smooth spent millions creating the infrastructure that supported their sex trafficking operation. They hired and paid a secret staff to run their “sex events.” This staff was reportedly in charge of booking domestic/international travel for victims. In addition, there was a full-service security company that conducted background checks, oversaw NDAs (non-disclosure agreements), surveilled witnesses, and more.
According to federal prosecutors, the charges faced by the trio are related to 15 “John Does.” However, they have highlighted that there are many other victims.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$1.9 Million
$600,000
$1.5 Million
$54 Million
$525,000
$1.2 Million
Victims Filed a Class Action Lawsuit in 2023 – A Brief Summary
After a report released details of the sex crimes committed by Jeffries and his associates, victims came together to file a class action lawsuit in New York, which alleged that over 100 men had been abused and that Abercrombie & Fitch ignored the sexual misconduct that models and other employees were experiencing. David Bradberry, who is part of the class action, stated that he held pressured into sex with Jeffries at a party in his home; Bradberry was only 23 at the time and felt unsafe because of the heavy presence of staff and because the home was isolated. Many other victims have reported similar experiences.
Can I File a Lawsuit?
Yes – you could have the right to file a lawsuit. If you were the victim of sex trafficking, sex abuse, or any sex exploitation at the hands of Jeffries, Smith, Jacobson, or any other person associated with them, you could have the right to file a lawsuit. Sure, you can file a claim against the attackers; however, you could also have the right to sue the company Abercrombie & Fitch for failing to take action to prevent abuse. For more information about your right to file a sex trafficking lawsuit, a sex abuse lawsuit, or even your right to participate in a class action or mass torts claim, contact our law firm today.
Can I Recover Compensation?
Yes, victims of sex trafficking and sex abuse who file lawsuits could be eligible to recover compensation for the harm suffered. The categories of compensation available for recovery could include the following:
- Medical expenses (including costs of mental health services)
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Legal costs
- And more
Here at our law firm, our team has the experience necessary to fight for your rights and help you recover the maximum recovery available for your lawsuit. It doesn’t matter whether our team has to negotiate a settlement or take your claim to trial to get a verdict; our experts will do everything necessary to secure the payout that you are owed. For more information about the possible value of your Abercrombie and Fitch lawsuit, contact us today.
Contact the Sex Trafficking Lawyers at Normandie Law Firm Today
If you were the victim of sex trafficking at the hands of Jeffries and his associates, or anyone else at Abercrombie & Fitch, it is important that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible. Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our sex trafficking lawyers have decades of experience and are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to get justice. Our firm offers free case reviews, including free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our team will be available to answer all your questions and address all your concerns, making sure that you have the information necessary to pursue your sex trafficking claim. To schedule a free case review, contact us at your earliest convenience.
Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will never be required to pay any upfront legal fees for any of our legal services. Our firm also works on a strict contingency structure, meaning that our clients will not be responsible for paying anything if their claims are ultimately successful – if you do not win, you will not pay anything at all.
Contact our sex trafficking lawsuit lawyers today!
