FBI eyes ex-Abercrombie big over abuse claim: report
The FBI has reportedly launched a probe into Abercrombie & Fitch’s disgraced ex-CEO Mike Jeffries, who is accused of sexually abusing and trafficking young men during lavish events he and his partner hosted, both in America and abroad.
Federal investigators have already begun issuing subpoenas and interviewing witnesses in connection with allegations raised against Jeffries and his partner, Matthew Smith, the BBC reported. A source familiar with the case confirmed the investigation, which is being led by Brooklyn federal prosecutors.
The FBI and the Brooklyn U.S. attorney’s office both declined to comment.
In October, David Bradberry filed a lawsuit aimed at Abercrombie & Fitch, Jeffries and Smith under the New York Adult Survivors Act, which allowed people to file civil sexual abuse claims that would have otherwise exceeded the statute of limitations. He said the popular clothing brand provided Jeffries “unfettered access” to resources, “enabling” him to build a “criminal enterprise” that endured for years.
Bradberry was also one of eight people who opened up about his experience for a BBC documentary and podcast series. They each discussed how Jeffries, who ran Abercrombie as CEO from 1992 until 2014, used his power and influence to lure them to events and parties around the world, where many of them were coerced into performing sexual acts.
Just 23 years old at the time, Bradberry said he was approached in 2010 by a man pretending to be an agent. In reality, he is accused of being part of a highly organized network of middlemen employed specifically to track down attractive young men, BBC News reported.
The phony agent, identified by the BBC as James Jacobson, “made it clear to me that unless I let him perform oral sex on me, that I would not be meeting with A&F or Mike Jeffries,” he said.
When they were finished, he allegedly gave Bradberry cash.
Bradberry, now 37, recalled another incident at Jeffries’ house in the Hamptons. He claimed Jeffries and Smith undressed in a room where other men were already having sex and then plied him with drugs before forcing him to have sex, too. Bradberry further alleged he was raped by Jeffries while security guards dressed in all Abercrombie attire watched.
He later received $2,500 in cash and was then taken to other casting events in locations including Nice, France, and London, where he said he was again assaulted.