BBC report: Ex-fashion CEO faces federal probe
Jeffries is accused of sex abuse of young men
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries is reportedly under federal investigation following stories in the BBC last fall that accused Jeffries and his partner of sexually abusing young men.
FBI agents who specialize in alleged sex crimes and federal prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York are leading the investigation, the British news agency reported this week, citing several sources it did not identify.
The FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office declined to comment to the BBC as did a lawyer for Jeffries.
In October, a BBC documentary and podcast series revealed allegations that Jeffries and his partner Matthew Smith had exploited young men for sex at events they hosted in their New York residences and worldwide in luxurious hotels.
The events were held between 2009 and 2015, which would include time when Jeffries was president and CEO of the New Albany-based company that also operates the Hollister brand.
Later that month, a lawsuit was filed against Abercrombie and its Jeffries, alleging the retailer looked the other way while Jeffries ran a sex-trafficking ring and sexually assaulted numerous young men. The lawsuit alleges that at least 100 men were victimized.
FBI agents are interviewing and issuing subpoenas to potential witnesses, according to the new BBC report.
“We are appalled and disgusted by the behavior described in the allegations against Mr. Jeffries, whose employment with Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ended in 2014, nearly 10 years ago. Speaking up and coming forward is not easy, and our thoughts are with those who bravely raised their voices,” Abercrombie said in a statement released after the initial BBC report.
The retailer said it hired a law firm to investigate the allegations during Jeffries time as CEO. Abercrombie said Thursday it had no update on the status of its investigation.
Jeffries became president and CEO of Abercrombie in 1992, and is largely credited with the retailer’s growth. He left the company in 2014. mawilliams@dispatch.com @Bizmarkwilliams