Abercrombie & Fitch Lawsuit for Sexual Abuse
If you have experienced sexual abuse by Mike Jeffries under the guise of employment at Abercrombie & Fitch, you have legal rights and options, including eligibility to file a lawsuit.
"*" indicates required fields
Author: Kathryn Kosmides
- Mike Jeffries, Matthew Smith, and James Jacobson have been indicted on federal criminal charges related to the sex trafficking of young men while Jeffries was Abercrombie & Fitch’s CEO from 1992 to 2015.
- If you have experienced sexual abuse by Jeffries and his associates, you have legal rights and options. You can report the abuse to the FBI and might be eligible to file a sexual abuse lawsuit against Jeffries and Abercrombie & Fitch.
- With a sexual abuse lawsuit against Jeffries and Abercrombie & Fitch, you can seek monetary compensation for the harm and hold them accountable for their actions. We can help you understand this process.
Abercrombie & Fitch Abuse Allegations Overview
In October 2024, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries, business partner Matthew Smith, and James Jacobson were arrested on criminal charges related to sex trafficking and engaging in interstate prostitution.
The criminal charges came in the wake of a three-year investigation by BBC, which culminated in a podcast and several reports detailing decades-spanning allegations of sexual exploitation of young men under the guise of modeling contracts.
The BBC investigation uncovered a trail of non-disclosure agreements, men ashamed and afraid of talking about the abuse, and a long list of sexual abuse allegations against a cabal of people in Jeffries’ inner circle.
After the BBC published the results of its investigation in October 2023, former Abercrombie & Fitch model David Bradberry filed a proposed class action lawsuit under New York’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act, against Michael Jeffries and other parties, including the company, alleging sexual abuse.
The 128-page complaint against Abercrombie & Fitch, Michael Jeffries, Matthew Smith, and The Jeffries Family Office LLC alleges that not only did Jeffries and his associates participate in sex trafficking, but the company knew about it and turned a blind eye to the harm, putting profits over protecting these young men.
The lawsuit alleges that Jeffries and his associates likely victimized over 100 individuals. Bradberry encourages others to come forward and participate in the lawsuit. Following the criminal indictment of Jeffries and his associates, the lawsuit has been stayed, temporarily pausing it until the criminal proceedings are complete.
However, if you have been a victim of abuse by Jefferies and his associates, do not let this pause deter you. You might still be eligible to join this lawsuit or pursue your own. It may just take some time for the litigation to make its way through the legal system.
We can help you understand this process and connect you with an attorney who can help today.
Mike Jeffries Sex Trafficking Arrest & Abuse Allegations
Michael Jeffries, now 80, was indicted on 16 federal criminal charges in October 2024 for allegedly operating a sex trafficking ring that used “a combination of force, fraud, and coercion to traffic men while operating a prostitution enterprise.”
The other defendants in the criminal case include Jeffries’ partner Matthew Smith, 61, and James Jacobson, 71, who allegedly recruited the young men. Each faces one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution related to the abuse of 15 unnamed male victims between 2008 and 2015.
The trio pleaded not guilty to all charges. Jeffries and Jacobson are currently out on bond as of publication. However, Smith, a dual U.S.-British citizen, was reportedly detained as a flight risk.
If Jeffries and his associates have sexually abused you, you have legal rights and options. You can speak with the FBI as part of the criminal investigation. You might also be eligible to participate in an existing lawsuit or file your own against Mike Jeffries and associates over the sexual abuse.
If you believe you have been the victim of a crime perpetrated by Michael Jeffries, Matthew Smith, or James Jacobson, the FBI urges you to contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI or via their online form.
We can help you understand your legal options, explain these processes, and answer your questions. We can also connect you with an experienced sexual abuse lawyer who can provide a free consultation and help you pursue a civil lawsuit against Jeffries, whether you join an existing class action or file an individual lawsuit.
We are here to listen and advocate for you.
The abuse allegations raised in the criminal indictment and civil complaint against Michael Jeffries and his associates include the following conduct:
- Inappropriate touching, including groping
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual coercion
- Sexual assault, including forced oral sex
- Forced penile enhancement injections
- Forced to take drugs, including “poppers” and Viagra
- Rape
- Sex trafficking
The lawsuit and criminal charges against Jeffries allege that he groomed and coerced young men into sex trafficking with promises of modeling contracts. He then forced them to sign non-disclosure agreements, making them fearful to speak out about the abuse they endured.
Additionally, many of the victimized men have likely not spoken out, fearing they would face discrimination or would not be believed. Unfortunately, sexual abuse of men is still often viewed with disbelief across the world.
The federal sex trafficking charges against Mike Jeffries came shortly after Sean Diddy Comb’s federal sex trafficking indictment.
Jeffries and Abercrombie & Fitch have previously faced numerous discrimination lawsuits related to the company’s employment policies. One notable lawsuit resulted in a $40 million settlement.
File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against Mike Jeffries and Abercrombie & Fitch
A lawsuit allows individuals to seek monetary compensation for the harm they’ve endured. The compensation can help them pay for therapy and seek healing. Punitive damages may also be available against the company, which can prevent future harm.
While no amount of money can undo the harm Jeffries and his associates did to these young men, it can help the survivors begin the healing process and rebuild their lives.
The criminal indictment and class action lawsuit allege that the harm occurred worldwide, including in New York, Morocco, Marrakesh, England, and France. However, much of the harm is believed to have occurred in New York City.
Each state has its own civil statute of limitations—or deadline for filing a lawsuit. However, an amendment to New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act has opened a window for victims to file sexual abuse lawsuits regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred.
This law has enabled Bradberry to file his lawsuit and has allowed hundreds of others to file claims against doctors, clergy members, and other perpetrators who harmed them in New York City.
However, this window closes on March 1, 2025. After this date, the traditional New York civil statute of limitations will apply. You do not have to be a resident of NYC to file a lawsuit under the NYC GMVA—the law applies if the harm occurred in NYC’s five boroughs.
However, speaking with an experienced attorney as soon as possible is critical, even if you are unsure if you want to file a lawsuit against Abercrombie & Fitch or Jeffries.
You might be eligible to keep your identity confidential and file a claim “under seal” or as a John Doe, meaning your personal information can be protected if desired.
We can help walk you through the process of filing a civil lawsuit against Jeffries and his associates. If you choose to move forward, we can connect you with an experienced sexual abuse attorney. The law firms we work with represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning there will be no upfront costs for you. They only get paid if they recover compensation for you.
We are here to listen and advocate for you.
Abercrombie & Fitch Lawsuit FAQs
The following are some of the questions individuals impacted by sexual abuse may have regarding filing a lawsuit against Jeffries, his associates, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
If you have other questions, we’re here to help answer them, and we can connect you with an attorney for free today.
How do I file a lawsuit against Mike Jeffries for sexual abuse?
In a lawsuit against Jeffries and his associates, you can pursue monetary damages for the harm you’ve endured. To get started, speak with an experienced attorney who can explain the civil litigation process, including what filing, discovery, depositions, settlement discussions, and a trial may entail.
While there is an existing class action lawsuit against Jeffries and his associates, you can choose to participate in this litigation or pursue an individual claim. In a class action lawsuit, a single plaintiff represents a group of similarly situated people.
Participating in a class action might limit individual settlement amounts. Additionally, the outcomes of class actions rely on the legal strategy, skills, and resources of the lead plaintiff’s attorneys, which may or may not be in your best interest.
Thus, we recommend speaking with an independent attorney who has experience representing sexual abuse victims.
We can connect you with an experienced lawyer who can provide a free case evaluation and help you understand your rights and options. If you choose to move forward, they will represent you on a contingency fee basis, meaning they charge no upfront costs and only get compensated if and when you win.
How much does it cost to file a sexual abuse lawsuit against Jeffries and Abercrombie & Fitch?
There should not be any upfront cost for filing a sexual abuse lawsuit against Jeffries, Abercrombie & Fitch, or other relevant third parties.
Experienced lawyers take such cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they recover compensation for you. Their fee will be a pre-agreed percentage of any settlement or award they obtain.
Can I still file a sexual abuse lawsuit against Jeffries if the harm occurred years ago?
Yes, you can still likely file a sexual abuse lawsuit against Jeffries and associates even if the abuse occurred years ago.
However, you may have a limited time to act. An amendment to the New York City Gender-Motivated Violence Act, which has opened a window to file suit over sexual abuse regardless of how long ago the harm occurred, expires on March 1, 2025. Therefore, speaking to an experienced sexual abuse lawyer as soon as possible is critical.
If the harm occurred outside New York City, you may still be eligible to file a lawsuit even if it happened years ago. However, only a lawyer will be able to make this determination.
What are the potential outcomes of a sexual abuse lawsuit against Jeffries and Abercrombie & Fitch?
In a civil lawsuit, a sexual abuse victim seeks monetary damages for their losses resulting from the harm. Victims may pursue compensation for medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain, suffering, and emotional distress, among other damages.
However, a plaintiff can sometimes seek additional remedies, such as a court order forcing an organization to change their company policies.
Estimating the settlement or verdict amount you may recover in a sexual abuse lawsuit against Abercrombie & Fitch and Jeffries is difficult. Every case is unique and depends on numerous factors, including the severity of the harm, the defendant’s culpability, the strength of the evidence, and the extent of the losses suffered. The amount may also vary depending on whether you file your own claim or participate in the class action lawsuit.
We can put you in touch with an experienced sexual abuse attorney who may be able to provide additional insights into the potential outcomes of filing a sexual abuse lawsuit based on the specifics related to your case.
Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
