A lawsuit accuses Abercrombie & Fitch of funding sex-trafficking operation, per BBC.
Per Reuters:
A group of once-aspiring Abercrombie & Fitch models on Friday sued the retailer and its former chief executive officer, Michael Jeffries, alleging the company had benefited from a sex trafficking operation led by Jeffries.
Former model David Bradberry in the proposed class action filed in Manhattan federal court claims Jeffries, who was CEO from 1992 to 2014, forced models to take drugs and engage in sexual 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 the CEO of Abercrombie to recruit men and invite them to castings at his homes in New York City, the Hamptons, and other locations. Bradberry and other men say they were forced to take drugs and participate in sexual acts with Jeffries, his business partner Matthew Smith, and others connected to Abercrombie.
The lawsuit names Abercrombie, Jeffries, Smith and Jeffries' Ohio-based company 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 officers knew about the conduct and the company paid settlements to people who accused Jeffries of sexual abuse or harassment. The lawsuit alleges Abercrombie facilitated the "sex-trafficking conspiracy" as Jeffries continued to reap massive profits.
Jeffries is often credited with spearheading the company’s transformation into a successful teen retailer known for its cologne-filled stores and ads featuring semi-nude models.
He resigned in 2014 amid criticism that he had failed to keep pace with the tastes of teen shoppers, and received a payout of more than $25 million.
Since he stepped down, the company has moved away from its suggestive advertising and rebranded as a more inclusive retailer with expanded sizing and clothing geared toward young adult shoppers.
A lawsuit accuses Abercrombie & Fitch of funding sex-trafficking operation
10/27/2023
Trump extends 50% Tariff Deadline after call with European Commission President
5/26/2025 12:26 AMElon Musk has said he is back
5/24/2025 11:31 PMNvidia, NVDA, to launch cheaper Blackwell AI chip for China after US export curbs
5/24/2025 11:25 PMRay Dalio has said the risks from U.S. credit downgrade ‘are greater than the rating agencies are conveying’
5/23/2025 7:39 PM
Stay Updated
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest financial insights and news.
Unusual Whales does not confirm the information's truthfulness or accuracy of the associated references, data, and cannot verify any of the information. Any content on this site or related pages are not intended to provide legal, tax, investment or insurance advice. Unusual Whales Inc. is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or any state securities regulatory authority. Nothing on Unusual Whales should be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security by Unusual Whales or any third party. Options, investing, trading is risky, and losses are more expected than profits. Please do own research before investing. Please only subscribe after reading our full terms and understanding options and the market, and the inherent risks of trading. It is highly recommended not to trade on this, or any, information from Unusual Whales. Markets are risky, and you will likely lose some or all of your capital. Please check our terms for full details.
Any content on this site or related pages are not intended to provide legal, tax, investment or insurance advice. Unusual Whales Inc. is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or any state securities regulatory authority. Nothing on Unusual Whales should be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security by Unusual Whales or any third party. Certain investment planning tools available on Unusual Whales may provide general investment education based on your input. You are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, security or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance. You should consult your legal or tax professional regarding your specific situation. See terms for more information.