Mike Jeffries' legal team raises concerns over his mental fitness as he battles serious legal allegations
Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Declared Incompetent to Stand Trial Amid Dementia Claims
Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Declared Incompetent to Stand Trial Amid Dementia Claims
Former A&F Chief Mike Jeffries Is Facing Federal Sex Trafficking Charges
In a striking revelation, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, has been diagnosed with dementia and late onset Alzheimer's disease, according to his legal representatives. They filed this alarming news in a New York court, requesting a hearing to assess whether Jeffries is mentally competent to face federal charges involving sex trafficking. The 80-year-old executive was apprehended alongside his partner and a co-conspirator in October, accused of operating an international sex trafficking and prostitution ring. All three have entered pleas of not guilty.
The impending competency hearing has been slated for June 2025. Jeffries, who led the prominent clothing brand for two decades, is suspected of using his wealth and influence to exploit vulnerable young men from 2008 to 2015. Allegations against him claim that he, along with British partner Matthew Smith and middleman James Jacobson, engaged in coercive practices to force these individuals into violent sexual encounters.
The probe into Jeffries commenced after the BBC aired investigative claims tied to the pair’s alleged exploitation of men during global events. The news outlet's findings detailed an organized operation predicated on grooming models for sexual acts.
Brian Bieber, representing Jeffries, stated that various neuropsychological assessments have indicated his client suffers from dual types of dementia alongside suspected late onset Alzheimer's. In a court document, Bieber reflected on an initial encounter with Jeffries, which left him astonished by the ex-CEO’s cognitive decline. He stated, “He did not even come close to resembling a master's degree-educated individual,” a stark contrast to his previous position leading a publicly traded company.
Given the scope of the ongoing legal challenges, including a separate civil lawsuit tied to allegations of funding a sex trafficking network, Jeffries contends that Abercrombie & Fitch is obligated to cover his legal expenses, stemming from a prior indemnification agreement made during his tenure. Meanwhile, the Eastern District of New York has opted not to comment on the ongoing case.
As the legal situation evolves, concerns about Jeffries' mental state and the associated accusations present an unsettling intersection of corporate power and criminal repercussions.
The impending competency hearing has been slated for June 2025. Jeffries, who led the prominent clothing brand for two decades, is suspected of using his wealth and influence to exploit vulnerable young men from 2008 to 2015. Allegations against him claim that he, along with British partner Matthew Smith and middleman James Jacobson, engaged in coercive practices to force these individuals into violent sexual encounters.
The probe into Jeffries commenced after the BBC aired investigative claims tied to the pair’s alleged exploitation of men during global events. The news outlet's findings detailed an organized operation predicated on grooming models for sexual acts.
Brian Bieber, representing Jeffries, stated that various neuropsychological assessments have indicated his client suffers from dual types of dementia alongside suspected late onset Alzheimer's. In a court document, Bieber reflected on an initial encounter with Jeffries, which left him astonished by the ex-CEO’s cognitive decline. He stated, “He did not even come close to resembling a master's degree-educated individual,” a stark contrast to his previous position leading a publicly traded company.
Given the scope of the ongoing legal challenges, including a separate civil lawsuit tied to allegations of funding a sex trafficking network, Jeffries contends that Abercrombie & Fitch is obligated to cover his legal expenses, stemming from a prior indemnification agreement made during his tenure. Meanwhile, the Eastern District of New York has opted not to comment on the ongoing case.
As the legal situation evolves, concerns about Jeffries' mental state and the associated accusations present an unsettling intersection of corporate power and criminal repercussions.
