Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries is facing serious allegations of sexual exploitation from multiple men. These men claim they were abused and drugged during modelling events organized by Jeffries and his partner, Matthew Smith. The allegations, which have been investigated by the BBC and are now under investigation by the FBI, paint a disturbing picture of alleged abuse and exploitation spanning from 2009 to 2015.
One of the men, who has chosen to remain anonymous and is referred to as Luke, describes his harrowing experience in 2011. He was invited to a meeting with Jeffries in Spain, lured by the promise of appearing in an Abercrombie & Fitch advertisement. However, upon arriving at Jeffries’ lavish hotel suite, the situation took a sinister turn. Luke describes the dimly lit room, decorated with erotic photos of men’s abs, and the presence of assistants dressed in Abercrombie & Fitch uniforms who seemed to be acting as decoys. Luke says that Jeffries and Smith immediately began to touch him and that Jeffries forcibly kissed him. He describes trying to resist but ultimately feeling pressured to comply, while repeatedly saying no. He claims that he wanted to leave the situation but felt powerless to do so.
Luke’s story is just one of many. The BBC investigation has now expanded to include 20 men, with several corroborating Luke’s claims of abuse. Keith Milkie, another alleged victim, describes multiple events he attended between 2012 and 2014, where he felt uncomfortable and subjected to unwanted sexual advances. He alleges that on one occasion in Paris, Jeffries pressured him to engage in sex with another man, a situation Milkie found both unappealing and painful. He also describes an incident on the Queen Mary 2, where Jeffries, intoxicated, verbally abused Milkie after he refused to participate in a risky sexual act. Milkie alleges that Jeffries insulted him and called him worthless simply because he refused his demands.
These allegations, alongside others gathered by the BBC, offer a disturbing glimpse into the alleged patterns of abuse and exploitation that took place during Jeffries’ time as CEO. The FBI investigation is ongoing, and the potential ramifications for Jeffries and Abercrombie & Fitch remain to be seen. However, the testimonies of these men offer a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of abuse and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.
