Abercrombie & Fitch, former CEO Mike Jeffries accused of running trafficking operation

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Accused of Running Sex-Trafficking Operation

In a class action lawsuit, an actor has made serious allegations against former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, Mike Jeffries. The lawsuit claims that Jeffries operated a “widespread sex-trafficking organization,” with the clothing company’s involvement.

The plaintiff, David Bradberry, asserts that Jeffries used his influence to exploit attractive young men by promising them modeling jobs at Abercrombie & Fitch. According to Bradberry, the clothing company was complicit in facilitating the abuse.

According to the lawsuit filed in the District Court for the Southern District of New York, the financial success of Abercrombie & Fitch fueled Jeffries’ alleged sex-trafficking operation, which ran from 1992 to 2014. Abercrombie & Fitch has chosen not to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation.

Jeffries, through his attorney Brian Bieber, has also refrained from commenting on the lawsuit. Bieber stated, “Mr. Jeffries will not comment in the press on this new lawsuit, as he has likewise chosen not to regarding litigation in the past. The courtroom is where we will deal with this matter.”

The lawsuit alleges that the company enabled Jeffries to engage in the sexual exploitation of aspiring male models. It claims that at his Hamptons estate, Jeffries conducted casting interviews where he coerced the models to strip, sign non-disclosure agreements, consume drugs, and participate in sexual acts with himself, his partner Matthew Smith, and others.

This is not the first time that Jeffries has faced such allegations. A BBC News investigation earlier this month reported allegations of exploitation during sex events hosted by Jeffries around the world.

The High Cost of Becoming an Abercrombie Model

The lawsuit asserts, “The models were led to believe that being sexually abused by the CEO of Abercrombie and his partner at a remote private location arranged by the company was the price that was paid to obtain one of the most coveted roles in the industry – an Abercrombie model.”

Bradberry accused Abercrombie of supporting Jeffries, which allowed him to sexually assault and traffick him and others. The lawsuit accuses the company of prioritizing profits over the law by normalizing sexual abuse as part of the casting process.

In his legal filing, Bradberry detailed the abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of Jeffries in 2010. He claimed that a “scout” forced him to engage in oral sex in order to secure a meeting with Jeffries. Bradberry was then rewarded with cash. Later, he met Jeffries in Washington, D.C., and London, England, where he was coerced into engaging in commercial sex acts with Jeffries and others.

Bradberry believed that complying with these acts would increase his chances of becoming an Abercrombie model. He was later invited to a casting event at Jeffries’ Hamptons house, where he witnessed two men having sex and was given drugs known as “poppers.”

The lawsuit claims that Bradberry was anally raped by Jeffries and was subsequently paid $2,500. He was then flown to France, where he was allegedly forced to perform more sexual acts on Jeffries. Throughout this time, Bradberry still aspired to be an Abercrombie model.