On May 22, 2003, Abercrombie & Fitch Chairman and CEO Mike Jeffries delivered a speech to shareholders at the company’s annual meeting held at the company’s headquarters in New Albany, Ohio, USA.
Will Shilling | via Reuters
Abercrombie & Fitch The company stopped shaking hands with former CEO Mike Jeffries after his arrest on federal sex trafficking charges, saying in a statement Wednesday that it was “committed to working with law enforcement as the legal process continues.” Departments fully cooperate.”
“As we stated in October 2023 when we first made these allegations public, we are shocked and disgusted by the alleged conduct of Mr. Jeffries, whose employment with Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ended nearly a decade ago,” the company the spokesperson said in a statement.
“For nearly a decade, we have successfully transformed our brand and culture into the values-driven organization we are today,” the spokesperson added. “We have zero tolerance for any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination.”
Abercrombie shares fell about 5% on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Jeffries – who ran the heritage clothing brand from 1992 to 2014 – was arrested along with his partner Matthew Smith and another associate on sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges, which prosecutors said occurred During his tenure at Abercrombie.
Jeffries and Smith are accused of forcing aspiring Abercrombie models to perform sex acts in exchange for modeling gigs and other acts.
“Many of the victims, at least one of whom was as young as 19, were financially vulnerable and aspired to become models in the fashion industry, a notoriously cutthroat world,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing.
“In fact, some of the people they recruited had previously worked in Abercrombie stores or modeled for Abercrombie.”
During Jeffries’ tenure, Abercrombie became known for its sexually charged marketing and marketing specifically to kids deemed good-looking and cool, but the abuse he allegedly committed was not revealed until an explosive BBC investigation into his behavior. Well known.
Shortly after the findings were released, Jeffries and Abercrombie were sued by a man who said he was victimized by the former CEO in the 2010s when he was recruited as a model.
Nearly a year later, federal prosecutors filed charges against Jeffries. His attorney, Brian Bieber, told NBC News on Tuesday that he would respond to the allegations in more detail later.
“We will respond in detail to these allegations in due course after the indictment is unsealed, but plan to do so in court rather than in the media,” Bieber said.
The long-standing retailer was ousted by Abercrombie in 2014 due to chronic sales declines. Under the leadership of new CEO Fran Horowitz, Abercrombie has become one of the best-performing apparel companies in the industry. It launched inclusive sizes and jeans specifically designed for curvy bodies and made it clear in its marketing that it was no longer targeting a single customer from one ethnic background.
Abercrombie said in a statement that the company supports victims who come forward.
“It’s not easy to speak out and come forward,” the spokesman said. “Our hearts go out to those who bravely raised their voices in this federal investigation.”
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