The number of men accusing former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries of sexual assault, drugging, and rape has risen to over 40, according to lawyers representing the alleged victims.
Jeffries, who was charged with sex trafficking in October, is facing multiple civil lawsuits alleging he lured men with promises of modeling opportunities before subjecting them to sexual abuse.
The latest allegations, spanning back to the 1990s, now include former A&F employees in addition to ex-models.
A&F itself is being sued for negligence, with claims that the company knowingly facilitated Jeffries’ alleged crimes alongside his British partner, Matthew Smith.
The company has not responded to the latest allegations but previously stated it was “appalled and disgusted” by Jeffries’ reported behavior.
Now 80, Jeffries is under house arrest, having pleaded not guilty to running a global sex trafficking operation. His partner Smith, 61, and their alleged recruiter, James Jacobson, 72, have also denied the charges. If convicted, they face potential life sentences.
Mounting Allegations and Civil Suits
Attorney Brad Edwards, representing 26 alleged victims in a class-action lawsuit, believes the actual number of victims could exceed 100. Another attorney, Jared Scotto, is representing over a dozen more men, including former A&F employees who claim abuse began as early as 1992—the year Jeffries joined the company.
Recent lawsuits in New York detail disturbing claims, including allegations that men were drugged, coerced, and subjected to forced injections at “Abercrombie-themed” events. Some say they were trafficked internationally under the guise of brand-related work.
One lawsuit alleges that two former models were sexually assaulted at a Miami casting call in 2011. Another plaintiff claims he was raped at Jeffries’ Hamptons home after rejecting an offer of money and an A&F campaign deal in exchange for sex.
Prosecutors say they have identified 15 victims in the criminal case so far, though that number is expected to rise as investigations continue.
Legal Fallout and Corporate Response
A court has ruled that A&F must cover Jeffries’ legal fees in both his criminal trial and civil lawsuits, an expense expected to run into millions. While the company insists it had no prior knowledge of Jeffries’ alleged misconduct, victims argue it turned a blind eye for years.
Following the BBC’s investigative reporting in 2023, A&F launched an internal probe and suspended a $1 million annual retirement payout to Jeffries. The retailer maintains that new leadership has transformed the company and implemented a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.
Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson have denied all allegations, while attorneys for the victims stress that the growing number of accusers reflects the scale of the abuse. “There is strength in numbers,” said Edwards. “Now they know it wasn’t just them—it was part of a larger, nefarious scheme.”
