A lawsuit filed by David Bradberry in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York against Abercrombie & Fitch, alleges the company funded a sex trafficking operation.

A former male model is accusing the fashion retailer of allowing its former CEO, Mike Jeffries, to run a sex-trafficking organization during his 22-year tenure.

 The lawsuit seeks class-action status, estimating that over a hundred young models, in addition to Bradberry, were victims of the alleged sex trafficking ring.

Jeffries, who departed Abercrombie & Fitch in 2014, is known for transforming the brand from a struggling retailer of hunting apparel into a popular destination for trendy teen clothing.

His tenure was marked by controversy due to the company's sexualized marketing campaigns, which included billboards and provocative models that didn’t appeal to potential customers who did not conform to the brand's image.

The lawsuit surfaced following a BBC documentary report that made similar allegations against Jeffries and his partner, Matthew Smith. The report claimed that these men were involved in organizing events that recruited young men for sex acts, some of whom were exploited or abused.

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Abercombie & Fitch 

According to court documents, Jeffries had modeling scouts scouring the internet to identify attractive young men who aspired to become Abercrombie models. 

These prospective models allegedly were manipulated into becoming sex-trafficking victims. They were then transported to New York and other locations, and subjected to abuse under the pretense that they were being recruited as Abercrombie models.

The suit contends that Jeffries had been given extensive autonomy to manage his role as CEO, enabling him to engage in what the lawsuit describes as "blatant international sex trafficking and abuse of prospective Abercrombie models." 

The lawsuit covers a period from at least 1992 to 2014 and names Jeffries, Smith, and the Jeffries Family Office LLC as defendants.

The lawsuit alleges that Jeffries sexually abused his victims and coerced them into participating in commercial sex acts, often in exchange for money, promises of career advancement, and the possibility of becoming Abercrombie models.

Abercrombie & Fitch, headquartered in New Albany, Ohio, has refrained from commenting on the lawsuit. 

Retailer claims it did not know of CEO’s misconduct

Earlier this month, the retailer declared its commitment to conducting an independent investigation into the allegations raised by the BBC. The company emphasized that its current leadership and board of directors were not aware of the accusations regarding Jeffries' sexual misconduct.

In response to the BBC report, Abercrombie & Fitch expressed shock and disgust at the claims made about Jeffries.

The attorney representing Mike Jeffries, Brian Bieber, issued a statement indicating that Jeffries would not comment on the lawsuit in the press. And emphasized that the matter would be addressed in the courtroom.

While Abercrombie & Fitch is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity, it had long been associated with controversies during Jeffries' tenure. 

In the 2000s, the company faced multiple allegations of racism and discrimination against employees of color. These controversies garnered increased attention during the pandemic, partly due to the documentary "White Hot."

The recent BBC investigation further intensified the scrutiny of Jeffries and Smith. Some victims reported exploitation or abuse, while others claimed that modeling opportunities were linked to participation in sexual activities. In certain cases, Jeffries and Smith were alleged to have been present during these acts.

In response to the BBC report, Abercrombie & Fitch expressed shock and disgust at the claims made about Jeffries.

 The lawsuit filed by David Bradberry has the potential to shed light on these troubling allegations, placing the former CEO's actions under legal scrutiny.