Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries used power, wealth and influence to traffic vulnerable men, prosecutors say

Ben Hatton
Live reporter

Former CEO of fashion giant Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, and his British partner, Matthew Smith, have been arrested and charged with running a prostitution and international sex trafficking operation.

The men are accused of using their power and influence to target young men with dreams of working in the fashion and modelling industry, with millions of dollars allegedly spent on a large-scale operation used to traffic and abuse them.

The number of alleged victims is not known – but the indictment mentions at least 15 individuals, and prosecutors say dozens were involved.

The charges follow a BBC investigation, published in October last year.

Have the defendants responded?

Jeffries and Smith have previously denied any wrongdoing via their lawyers. Jeffries’ lawyer told the BBC earlier that they would “respond in detail to the allegations after the indictment is unsealed”.

Abercrombie & Fitch declined to comment on the arrests, but previously announced its own independent investigation. It has also denied any knowledge of “the supposed sex-trafficking venture” led by its former CEO – which it has been accused of having funded.

What happens now?

All three are due to appear before federal court soon – Jeffries and Smith in Florida, and Jacobson in Minnesota – before all three are brought to New York by early next week.

Prosecutors said they are seeking detention for Smith, a dual US-UK national, because the flight risk is “particularly acute”, while they are seeking substantial bail packages for the other two – but those decisions will be for a judge to decide.

Prosecutors said the investigation remains ongoing, and are calling on anyone with information to come forward.

We’re ending our live coverage, but you can still:

• Follow the latest in our main story here
• Catch up with the BBC’s investigation here (or here, external if you’re outside the UK)