USA 
United Kingdom
Trigger Warning: This article includes references to sexual abuse.
New allegations against former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries have been levelled, accusing the former boss of exploitation and sexual abuse.
Eight further men have made allegations to the BBC against the ex-chief executive of the fashion brand, alongside his then-assistants who wore Abercrombie uniforms.
Jeffries, alongside his partner Matthew Smith, first faced accusations of sexual exploitation against young men after a BBC Panorama investigation in October 2023.
A lawsuit was also filed against Abercrombie & Fitch, Jeffries, and Smith in that year, suing the parties over alleged “international sex trafficking and abuse of prospective models.”
At the time, Abercrombie & Fitch launched an independent investigation into the matter, stating it was not aware of any such events and emphasizing a “zero tolerance for abuse, harassment or discrimination of any kind.”
The former executive has repeatedly denied the allegations, stating the lawsuits filed against him did not detail any “specific, factual occurrences.”
Following the BBC’s report, the FBI launched an investigation into the accusations.
New testimonies of assistants in company uniform put Abercrombie & Fitch under the spotlight
The new testimonies include harrowing accusations made against Jeffries and a team of assistants who wore company uniforms, including a claim that the young men – who say they travelled to events to meet the ex-CEO and complete work such as photoshoots – were injected with liquid Viagra.
The BBC reports the new testimonies “raise questions” about the role of Jeffries’ assistants, who reportedly supervised the events while wearing Abercrombie & Fitch uniforms.
The new testimonies differ from the previous claims, now claiming that a member of the Abercrombie & Fitch staff was involved running in the alleged abusive events, putting it under the spotlight.
The fashion company declined to answer the BBC’s request for comment, stating it does not comment on legal matters.
A total of 20 men have now come forward with allegations against Jeffries.
One model formerly employed by Abercrombie & Fitch says he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Jeffries after being promised work if he travelled to Madrid from Los Angeles.
“I tried to say no repeatedly,” the model claimed to the BBC. “And then I just got kind of convinced to do something. But I constantly was saying no, and I wanted to go.”
The individual alleges that Jeffries attempted to perform oral sex on him.
"I'm getting fired because I didn't do what this guy wanted," he told the BBC, describing how he felt at the prospect of losing his chance of a modelling job.
"I could have just ran out of that room, but I didn't even know how I would have gotten out,” he claimed, adding that he felt he couldn’t leave as Jeffries’ assistants were “watching exits.”
The model also said he was unable to report what happened due to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) signed before the event.
