A press release from the Eastern District of New York announced the 16-count indictment on sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges, as well as the arrest of former CEO of Abercrombie, Michael Jeffries, and associates Matthew Smith and James Jacobson on October 22nd, 2024.
The release states, “From approximately 1992 to 2014, Jeffries was the CEO of Abercrombie, a fashion clothing retailer that owned and operated retail stores around the world. Smith was Jeffries’ life partner. The indictment alleges that Jacobson was employed by Jeffries and Smith to recruit, interview and hire men to perform commercial sex acts for Jeffries and Smith.
As set forth in the indictment, from approximately 2008 to 2015, Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson, together with others, operated an international sex trafficking and prostitution enterprise. Jeffries and Smith not only relied on their financial resources and Jeffries’ power as the CEO of Abercrombie, but also on numerous others, including Jacobson and a network of employees, contractors and security professionals, to operate this venture, which was dedicated to fulfilling their sexual desires.”
Attorney Thomas Giuffra, a staunch and internationally recognized advocate for victims of high-profile sexual abuse cases, encourages those affected by the egregious behavior of Jeffries and his associates to seek justice against their abusers by filing a civil case.
Our firm has vast experience representing survivors of prolific abusers such as Harvey Weinstein, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, numerous doctors and the Catholic Church, as well as securing substantial awards for our clients.
Attorney Giuffra and team are currently investigating lawsuits for those trafficked under the guise of career success by Jeffries. Our firm invests significant resources into the individual representation of our clients and is fully committed to handling all case matters in a trauma-informed and highly professional manner.
Contact us for a 100% free and confidential consultation or call (212) 684-1880. We work on a contingency basis.
The Eastern District press release discusses numerous abuses to the men and boys who were deceived by Jeffries and his team:
“The indictment alleges that Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson used coercive, fraudulent and deceptive tactics in connection with their sex trafficking and prostitution venture. For example, among other things, Jeffries, Smith, Jacobson and others acting at their direction:
- Employed a referral system and interview process that did not inform men of the details of the Sex Events before they attended, including the full extent and nature of the sexual activity that would be required of the men at the Sex Events;
- Caused men to believe that attending the Sex Events could yield modeling opportunities with Abercrombie or otherwise benefit their careers;
- Caused men to believe that not complying with requests for certain acts during the Sex Events could harm their careers;
- Required men to relinquish their personal items, including clothing, wallets and cellular phones, and store them in an inaccessible location during the Sex Events;
- Required men to sign non-disclosure agreements;
- On more than one occasion when men did not or could not consent, Jeffries and Smith violated the bodily integrity of the men by subjecting them, or continuing to subject them, to invasive sexual and violent contact by body parts and other objects;
- On more than one occasion, Jeffries and Smith directed others to inject, or personally injected, men with an erection-inducing substance for the purpose of causing the men to engage in sex acts the men were incapable or unwilling to engage in.
Many of the victims, at least one of whom was as young as 19 years old, were financially vulnerable and aspired to become models in the fashion industry. Some victims recruited by the defendants had previously worked at Abercrombie stores or had modeled for Abercrombie.
If convicted of the sex trafficking charge, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment. If convicted of the interstate prostitution charges, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.”
If you or a loved one has suffered abuses such as those listed above at the hands of former Abercrombie CEO, Mike Jeffries, and those associated with him, please call (212) 684-1880 to speak with our dedicated legal team today.
To sue Mike Jeffries for sexual abuse, our experienced attorneys at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP can guide you through the civil lawsuit process, even if he hasn’t been criminally charged or is acquitted. Our team has successfully handled high-profile sexual assault cases, holding not only the perpetrator but also any accountable organizations liable if they enabled or ignored the abuse.
Led by renowned attorney Thomas P. Giuffra, we build strong, personalized cases to seek justice and compensation for survivors. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case in detail.
While the criminal case against Mike Jeffries aims to establish his accountability in criminal court, it is essential to note that such proceedings won’t provide financial restitution to those affected by his alleged actions.
Sexual abuse, assault, and trafficking are serious criminal violations that may result in prison sentences or the imposition of sex offender registration on the offender. For survivors, however, civil lawsuits offer a way to seek financial compensation for damages such as medical expenses and emotional suffering. Though monetary damages cannot erase the trauma endured, civil cases enable survivors to pursue justice outside the criminal system. Civil claims may also hold third parties responsible if their negligence allowed the abuse to occur or continue—this could extend to companies linked to Jeffries.
In civil cases involving sexual abuse or assault, the burden of proof lies with the survivor (plaintiff) and their attorney, who must demonstrate that the abuse occurred with at least 51% certainty, a standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” This threshold is notably lower than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard required in criminal proceedings.
A civil lawsuit can proceed even if no criminal conviction is obtained, as the defendant may still be found liable in civil court due to its less stringent proof requirements. A successful criminal case, however, can significantly enhance the prospects of related civil claims.
New York State and New York City have enacted progressive legislation in recent years to extend the timeline in which survivors of sexual abuse can file civil claims. Laws such as the Child Victims Act, the Adult Survivors Act, and the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law provide expanded legal windows for survivors to pursue justice.
Our legal team can assist if you’re unsure whether your case meets these timeframes. We encourage survivors to reach out for guidance to ensure they remain informed of their legal options.
If a class action is filed against Mike Jeffries now or in the future, survivors should weigh the differences between pursuing an individual claim versus joining a class action. Class actions allow a single plaintiff to represent a broader group with similar claims, often in cases with shared damages.
However, class actions may sometimes limit individual settlement amounts and may lack the tailored legal strategies that individual cases can offer. We delve further into these distinctions on our blog.
Our firm strongly supports individual representation in civil sexual abuse cases, ensuring that each client’s unique experiences and needs are prioritized.
For a free, confidential consultation, please contact us at (212) 684-1880.
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