Abercrombie and its ex-CEO sued for sex trafficking

By Daniel Wiessner and Katherine Masters

Oct 27 (Reuters) – A group of former Abercrombie & Fitch models sued the retailer and its former CEO, Michael Jeffries, on Friday, alleging the company benefited from a sex trafficking operation run by Jeffries.

Former model David Bradberry, in the proposed class-action lawsuit in Manhattan federal court, claims that Jeffries, who served as CEO from 1992 to 2014, forced models to take drugs and engage in sex acts with him and others for the chance to be featured in Abercrombie's provocative catalogs.

According to the lawsuit, Jeffries used his position as CEO of Abercrombie to recruit men and invite them to castings at his homes in New York, the Hamptons and elsewhere. Bradberry and other men allege they were forced to take drugs and participate in sex acts with Jeffries, his business partner Matthew Smith and others connected to Abercrombie.

The lawsuit names Abercrombie, Jeffries, Smith and Ohio-based Jeffries Family Office as defendants. An Abercrombie spokesperson said the company does not comment on pending litigation. Jeffries, Smith and Jeffries Family Office could not immediately be reached for comment.

According to the lawsuit, Abercrombie Company executives knew about this conduct and the company paid settlements to people accusing Jeffries of sexual abuse or harassment. The lawsuit alleges that Abercrombie facilitated the “sex trafficking conspiracy” while Jeffries continued to reap huge profits.

Jeffries is often credited with leading the company's transformation into a successful teen retailer, known for its cologne-filled stores and advertisements featuring semi-nude models.

He resigned in 2014 following criticism that he had failed to keep pace with teenage buyers and received compensation of more than $25 million.

Since he resigned, the company has moved away from its suggestive advertising and rebranded itself as a more inclusive retailer with expanded sizes and clothing aimed at young adult shoppers.

Earlier this month, the BBC first reported allegations from Bradberry and others that Jeffries had abused models.

Abercrombie told the BBC the company was “appalled and disgusted” by the allegations and did not tolerate any abuse or harassment. According to the report, an unidentified attorney for Jeffries said the former CEO would not comment on his personal life.

Bradberry accused Abercrombie and Jeffries of violating a federal law prohibiting sex trafficking, among other allegations. The models were told that engaging in sexual acts was a typical part of the Abercrombie casting process and were paid thousands of dollars after performing sexual acts against their will, according to the lawsuit. They traveled to New York, London, Morocco and France to meet Jeffries.

Bradberry is seeking unspecified damages on behalf of a class of more than 100 men who were allegedly mistreated. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York and Katherine Masters in New York; editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Daniel Wallis)