Ex-Abercrombie CEO denies sex trafficking charges amid allegations of 'casting couch' scandal

Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, pleaded not guilty Friday to accusations of trafficking male models for international sex parties, according to US prosecutors. Jeffries, 80, was arraigned in the Eastern District of New York after his Tuesday arrest, joined by family as he posted a $10 million bail bond secured by a New York property.

Jeffries, who faces allegations alongside his partner Matthew Smith and associate James Jacobson, is accused of using a “casting couch” scheme to lure aspiring male models into exploitative situations. Prosecutors say the trio groomed the men for sex parties, where they were reportedly provided with drugs and alcohol.

Court documents cite 15 anonymous victims and suggest the true scale may be even larger. Prosecutors have called for more witnesses and victims to step forward, noting that the alleged trafficking occurred from December 2008 to March 2015 and involved “force, fraud, and coercion.” The case follows a 2023 BBC investigation, “The Abercrombie Guys: The Dark Side of Cool,”where several men claimed they had signed non-disclosure agreements after attending such events.

Abercrombie & Fitch has previously condemned the allegations, stating it is “appalled and disgusted” by the accusations against Jeffries, emphasizing its “zero tolerance for abuse, harassment, or discrimination of any kind.”

Smith, a British passport holder, remains in custody in Florida, with a federal judge identifying him as a potential flight risk. Jacobson, like Jeffries, pleaded not guilty and is under house arrest on a $500,000 bond. Jeffries, also restricted by house arrest and electronic monitoring, is prohibited from contacting his co-defendants, victims, or witnesses.

The next hearing is scheduled for December 12 before Judge Nusrat Choudhury.