Michael Jeffries, erstwhile CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, leaves pursuing a proceeding astatine the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, successful West Palm Beach, Florida, connected Oct. 22, 2024.
Rebecca Blackwell | AP
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and his subordinate volition plead not blameworthy Friday to national transgression charges of sexually exploiting dozens of men, galore of whom sought to beryllium models for the covering brand.
Jeffries, 80, and James Jacobson, 71, are acceptable to beryllium arraigned successful U.S. District Court successful Long Island, New York, 3 days aft being arrested connected enactment trafficking and interstate prostitution charges.
Attorneys for some men confirmed to CNBC earlier Friday that their clients would participate not-guilty pleas.
The graphic 16-count indictment unsealed Tuesday accuses Jeffries and his romanticist spouse Matthew Smith, 61, of operating an planetary enactment trafficking endeavor implicit much than six years — astir of which overlapped with Jeffries' tenure arsenic CEO.
Jacobson allegedly worked arsenic a recruiter for the "Sex Events," and would allegedly necessitate prospective candidates to enactment successful "tryouts" with him.
The defendants allegedly utilized "coercive, fraudulent and deceptive" recruiting tactics, including by starring men "to judge that attending the Sex Events could output modeling opportunities with Abercrombie oregon different payment their careers," the indictment says.
If convicted, Jeffries and Jacobson look a maximum condemnation of beingness successful situation connected the enactment trafficking complaint alone, and a mandatory minimum of 15 years down bars. They could besides person arsenic overmuch arsenic 20 years down bars if convicted connected each 15 counts of interstate prostitution.
Smith was besides arrested Tuesday and faces the aforesaid charges. He and Jeffries were some arrested successful Florida, portion Jacobson was arrested successful Wisconsin, wherever helium lives.
A national magistrate justice released Jeffries connected a $10 cardinal bond, positive location confinement and determination monitoring conditions, astatine his archetypal tribunal quality successful West Palm Beach connected Tuesday afternoon.
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Smith was ordered to beryllium held successful custody pending his arraignment astatine a aboriginal day because, arsenic a national of the United Kingdom, helium poses a greater formation risk.
Jacobson was released connected a $500,000 enslaved aft appearing successful national tribunal successful St. Paul, Minnesota, connected Tuesday afternoon.
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