Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch head to be arraigned on sex trafficking and prostitution charges
abcnews.go.comThe former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch is expected to be arraigned on federal sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges in a New York court
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch is expected to be arraigned Friday on federal sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges in a New York court.
Prosecutors allege that for nearly two decades, Michael Jeffries, his romantic partner and a third man lured men into taking part in sex parties by dangling the promise of modeling for the clothing retailer, once famous for its preppy, All-American aesthetic and marketing with shirtless male models.
In charges announced earlier this week, prosecutors say some 15 unnamed accusers were induced by “force, fraud and coercion” to engage in drug-fueled sex parties in New York, England, France, Italy, Morocco and St. Barts between 2008 and 2015. During the events, the men were sometimes directed to wear costumes, use sex toys and endure painful erection-inducing penile injections, according to the indictment.
The allegations echo sexual misconduct accusations described in media reports and made in a civil case against Jeffries, who left Abercrombie in 2014.
Jeffries’ attorney didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment ahead of the Friday afternoon appearance in federal court on Long Island, where Jeffries is expected to enter a plea on the charges.
A lawyer for James Jacobson, an employee of Jeffries' also due to be arraigned, declined to comment other than to say his client will be pleading not guilty.
Jeffries was released on a $10 million bond after appearing in federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday.
His partner, Matthew Smith, who also appeared in court in Florida, was
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