Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries has been linked to Jeffrey Epstein in a shocking revelation following his indictment for sexual exploitation. The indictment alleges that Jeffries and his partner, Matt Smith, exploited male models between 2008 and 2015.
Jeffries, who was appointed to lead Abercrombie & Fitch by tycoon Les Wexner in 1992, has a hidden connection to Epstein. Wexner, who was Epstein’s main financial client, had a close relationship with the late pedophile. Epstein even had power of attorney over Wexner’s personal affairs, highlighting the extent of their bond.
Epstein, who faced charges of sex trafficking and was found dead in his jail cell in 2019, was known for providing women and young girls to his friends and clients. Wexner distanced himself from Epstein after the latter pleaded guilty to sex offenses in 2008.
In a twist of events, Jeffries and his associates, Smith and Jim Jacobson, were arrested in October on charges of sexually exploiting male models. The allegations stem from a lawsuit filed against Jeffries a year prior.
The indictment accuses Jeffries and Smith of engaging in sexual acts with models for seven years, while Jacobson recruited victims across the United States and internationally. Prosecutors claim that Jacobson pressured men into performing sex acts as part of a “tryout” process, with Jeffries present at these events.
Furthermore, Jeffries, Smith, and Jacobson are accused of operating a “referral system” that rewarded models for recruiting others to meet with Jacobson. The models were allegedly misled about the nature of these meetings in order to receive rewards.
The investigation into Jeffries and his associates began after multiple victims filed a lawsuit in 2023. Attorney Brittany Henderson, who represented some victims, hailed the arrests as a step towards justice for the aspiring male models who were victimized.
Jeffries and Smith have denied any wrongdoing, while Abercrombie & Fitch claims to be investigating the allegations. The fashion retailer faced backlash following the release of Netflix’s documentary “White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch” in 2022, which delves into the store’s popularity under Jeffries’ leadership.
The unfolding scandal has shed light on the dark underbelly of the fashion industry, raising questions about accountability and responsibility in the wake of such disturbing allegations.
