The proceedings followed a BBC investigation into allegations that Jeffrey used men at events he chaired as the company’s chief executive.
A spokesperson for the brand said the company would not comment on the matter. Jeffrey’s attorney also said he would not comment either. The place where the case should be heard is the courtroom.
The lawsuit also accuses Jeffrey and his British partner Matthew Smith of sex trafficking, sexual assault and rape. Smith has also been contacted for comment.
What is accused in the collective case?
The case is being filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which allows people to file civil lawsuits for sexual assault that would otherwise be barred by the statute of limitations. It’s a class action – where one or more people sue someone on behalf of a much larger group.
“This lawsuit and the brave men who came forward will hold Abercrombie accountable for the many unacceptable actions and omissions that have destroyed the lives of dozens of young men,” said civil attorney Brad Edwards, who is now representing some of the victims.
Content continues after commercial
Advertising
Earlier this month, the BBC published the findings of an investigation into a highly organized network that used an intermediary to recruit young adult men for events with Mr Jeffrey and Mr Smith. In response, Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F), which also owns the Hollister brand, previously told the BBC it was “shocked and disgusted” by Jeffrey’s alleged actions. Jeffrey declined to comment through his attorney.
“The financial circulation of sex trafficking”
The suit, filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that Abercrombie & Fitch knew or should have known that it provided the “financial lifeblood of a sex-trafficking organization” run by Mike Jeffries from at least 1992 to 2014, while he was CEO of this company. It alleges he used Abercrombie & Fitch’s corporate resources, including planes, transport and unlimited cash, to facilitate sex trafficking deals that allowed him to accumulate “new victims at an alarming rate” and had access to up-and-coming clothing models .
“Abercrombie & Fitch was profit-driven and showed absolute loyalty to Jeffrey, including a willingness to spend large sums of money on extravagant drug and sex parties, ignoring multiple criminal flags on Jeffrey’s corporate account,” the legal filing said.
Employees at the company were aware of Jeffrey’s sexually exploitative and abusive behavior, and a video circulated in the company office showed him “snorting cocaine from a man’s penis,” according to the lawsuit.
“Although Abercrombie & Fitch attempted to prevent the video from being widely distributed, the company did nothing to stop Jeffrey from engaging in the behavior captured in the video and, in fact, continued to financially support him,” the indictment said.
2023-10-28 06:30:52
#popular #American #fashion #brand #accused #funding #sexual #slavery
