Current:Home > BackAbercrombie & Fitch slapped with lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of its male models under former CEO-LoTradeCoin
Abercrombie & Fitch slapped with lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of its male models under former CEO
View Date:2024-12-23 23:04:26
NEW YORK (AP) — A former model for Abercrombie & Fitch on Friday sued the fashion retailer, alleging it allowed its former CEO Mike Jeffries to run a sex-trafficking organization during his 22-year tenure.
Jeffries, who left Abercrombie in 2014, converted the chain from an struggling retailer of hunting apparel to a seller of must-have teen clothing. But he faced criticism for the company’s sexualized marketing, including billboards and beefy models that alienated potential customers who didn’t fit into its image.
The lawsuit comes after a BBC report earlier this month that raised similar allegations against Jeffries and his partner Matthew Smith.
The lawsuit, filed by David Bradberry in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges Jeffries had modeling scouts scouring the internet and elsewhere to identify attractive young men seeking to be the next face of Abercrombie. Often these prospective models became sex-trafficking victims, sent to New York and abroad and abused by Jeffries and other men, all under the guise that they were being recruited to become the next Abercrombie model, the lawsuit contends.
“Jeffries was so important to the profitability of the brand that he was given complete autonomy to perform his role as CEO however he saw fit, including through the use of blatant international sex-trafficking and abuse of prospective Abercrombie models,” the suit alleges.
The lawsuit names Jeffries, Smith, and the Jeffries Family Office LLC. It seeks class-action status and estimates that over a hundred young models, in addition to Bradberry, were victims.
A&F, based in New Albany, Ohio, declined to comment Friday. Earlier this month, the retailer said that it had hired an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation into the issues raised by the BBC. It said the company’s current leaders and board of directors were not aware of the allegations of Jeffries’ sexual misconduct.
“For close to a decade, a new executive leadership team and refreshed board of directors have successfully transformed our brands and culture into the values-driven organization we are today,” the company said. “We have zero tolerance for abuse, harassment or discrimination of any kind.”
Jeffries’ attorney, Brian Bieber, a shareholder with the Miami law firm of GrayRobinson, said in a statement that Jeffries “will not comment in the press on this new lawsuit, as he has likewise chosen not to regarding litigation in the past. ”
“The courtroom is where we will deal with this matter,” Bieber added.
The Jeffries Family Office didn’t respond immediately for requests for comment.
______
Follow Anne D’Innocenzio: http://twitter.com/ADInnocenzio
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Where you retire could affect your tax bill. Here's how.
- Prosecutors in Karen Read case argue against dismissing any charges
- ‘Hot girl summer,’ move aside. Women are going ‘boysober’ and have never felt better.
- 2024 MLB mock draft: Latest projections for every Round 1 pick
- Jennifer Garner and Boyfriend John Miller Are All Smiles In Rare Public Outing
- Jurors in Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial begin deliberations
- A county canvassing board rejected the absentee ballot of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum’s wife
- Federal prosecutors seek 14-month imprisonment for former Alabama lawmaker
- Man killed in Tuskegee University shooting in Alabama is identified. 16 others were hurt
- Heavy rains leave at least 200 crocodiles crawling around cities in Mexico near Texas, increasing risk for the population
Ranking
- Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says next year will be his last in office; mum on his plans afterward
- Get Lululemon's Iconic Align Leggings for $39, $128 Rompers for $39, $29 Belt Bags & More Must-Have Finds
- One woman escaped a ‘dungeon’ beneath a Missouri home, another was killed. Here’s a look at the case
- Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024 are this weekend: Date, time, categories, where to watch
- 13 escaped monkeys still on the loose in South Carolina after 30 were recaptured
- Wisconsin Republicans to open new Hispanic outreach center
- Spain's Carlos Alcaraz booed for talking Euro 2024 final after Wimbledon win in London
- Hospitality workers fired after death of man outside Milwaukee Hyatt
Recommendation
-
Democrat Ruben Gallego wins Arizona US Senate race against Republican Kari Lake
-
Stamp prices increase again this weekend. How much will Forever first-class cost?
-
Gypsy Rose Blanchard timeline: From her prison release to recent pregnancy announcement
-
North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion program has enrolled 500,000 people in just 7 months
-
2 weeks after Peanut the Squirrel's euthanasia, owner is seeking answers, justice
-
First victim of 1921 Tulsa massacre of Black community is identified since graves found, mayor says
-
Late-night comics have long been relentless in skewering Donald Trump. Now it’s Joe Biden’s turn
-
Krispy Kreme offering 87-cent dozens in BOGO deal today: How to redeem the offer