Ex-Abercrombie CEO, Mike Jeffries Underfire
Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F), Mike Jeffries and his partner, Mr Matthew Smith have been arrested for running a prostitution and international se.x trafficking business.
Mr Jeffries and Mathew Smith were arrested together with one Mr. Jacobson. Mr Jacobson played the role of a middleman in pimping men to Mr. Jeffries. He recruits different kinds of men across the globe.
The federal prosecutors have accused Mr. Mike Jeffries of using fraud and coercion to get his victims.
Also, Mr Mike Jeffries has been accused of using his influence and wealth as the Chief Executive Officer of Abercrombie to manipulate and exploit vulnerable men.
These abuses and exploitation took centre stage in and around New York. The couple often held events at their residences and some hostels in New York City.
However, when BBC Investigation released the scandalous findings earlier, Mr Mike Jeffries denied any wrongdoing. Mr Mike Jeffries’ lawyers rather were poised to provide a “detailed” explanation that would clear his name.
According to the findings by the BBC Investigation, Mr Mike Jeffries established a complex network. Mr Jacobson was at the hem of affairs of this dubious system. He was tasked to find men for Mr Jeffries. Mr Jacobson goes around the globe to find suitable men for Mr Jeffries and his partner Mathew Smith.
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The state attorney for the Eastern District of New York alleged that Mr Jeffries used his wealth, power and status as CEO of A&F to lure men for his and partner’s sexual pleasures.
Mr Breon Peace alleged that the couple hired the services of Mr Jacobson as their recruiter. Jacobson would scan through a pool of men, and conduct his tryouts before enlisting them. He did this by engaging in them in sex acts in exchange for money.
The enlisted men, upon the approval of Mr Jeffries, would be flown to his residence in New York. While in his home, these vulnerable men would pressured to consume various forms of aphrodisiac drugs. The drugs range from alcohol, and Viagra, to muscle relaxants.
Moreover, some of the victims have alleged that Mr Jeffries would send his assistants to inject them with erection-inducing substances. This usually happens when victims are incapable or unwilling to participate.
Mr Jefrries invested huge sums of money in infrastructure to support his scheme. This included expenses on international travels, hotel stays, payment staff and security for the events.
Even though only 15 victims have been mentioned in the indictment, there are many other victims.
After a court appearance on Tuesday, Mr Jeffries was however granted a bail. He is now on a $10m bond. Mr Jacobson was also released on a $500,000 bond. The two will reappear in court on Friday.