Latest news with #MichaelJeffries
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, 80, declared UNFIT to stand trial on male model rape charges after shock ruling
The former Abercrombie & Fitch boss Michael Jeffries has been ruled unfit to stand trial in a shock ruling in his sex trafficking case. Jeffries, 80, has been ordered to spend several months in hospital to see if his mental conditions improve. Jeffries' lawyers sought the ruling last month, writing in a letter that the 80-year-old requires around-the-clock care because he has Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, and the 'residual effects of a traumatic brain injury.' Jeffries has been free on $10million bond since pleading not guilty in October to federal charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. Prosecutors say he, his romantic partner, and a third man used the promise of modeling jobs to lure men to drug-fueled sex parties in New York City, the Hamptons and other locations. In a letter Jeffries' lawyers said at least four medical professionals concluded that their client's cognitive issues are 'progressive and incurable' and that he will not 'regain his competency and cannot be restored to competency in the future.' The defense and prosecutors requested that Jeffries be placed in federal Bureau of Prisons custody so he can be hospitalized and receive treatment that might allow his criminal case to proceed. 'The court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is presently suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent to the extent that he is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense,' Judge Nusrat Choudhury wrote in her decision. She directed the US attorney's office to place Jeffries in a hospital for up to four months. Jeffries left Abercrombie in 2014 after more than two decades at the helm. His partner, Matthew Smith, has also pleaded not guilty and remains out on bond, as has their co-defendant, James Jacobson. A Netflix show in 2022 lifted the lid on Jeffries' fashion empire, his penchant for scantily clad models and near-obsession with a brand image of only 'good-looking people.' Between 1992 and 2014 Jeffries was CEO of the popular clothing brand, jetting around the world as sales rose thanks to a preppy range and campaigns with sexy, slim, and mostly white models. Last month, Jeffries' lawyers claimed his illnesses were too much for him to withstand trial. The court filing cites the conclusions from four doctors, who stated that Jeffries was suffering a major neurocognitive disorder that was incurable. Doctors Alexander Bradley and Miranda Rosenberg concluded that Jeffries met the criteria for Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury and Lewy Body disease, which is a type of dementia. 'His cognitive deficits significantly impair his ability to understand the nature and consequences of the charges, consult with counsel in a rational manner, and participate in his defense "with a reasonable degree of rational understanding",' the doctors stated in the filing. Dr Cheryl Paradis backed up the dementia diagnosis and said that a symptom of the disease is 'erratic behavior,' warning that if Jeffries participated in the trial he could 'blurt out self-incriminating statements' and harm his credibility. Jeffries was arrested on charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution in October. He was taken into custody alongside his longtime partner, Matthew Smith, 61, in West Palm Beach. Jeffries' associate, Jim Jacobson, was also arrested for the alleged sex crimes in Wisconsin. He was later released on a $500,000 bond.
Toronto Sun
03-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO ruled unfit for trial and ordered hospitalized
Published May 02, 2025 • 1 minute read Michael Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, leaves following a hearing at the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in West Palm Beach, Fla., Oct. 22, 2024. Photo by Rebecca Blackwell / AP NEW YORK — A federal judge ruled Friday that the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch is not competent to stand trial on sex trafficking charges and ordered him hospitalized to see if his mental condition improves. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Michael Jeffries' lawyers sought the ruling last month, writing in a letter filed in a New York federal court that the 80-year-old requires around-the-clock care because he has Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia and the 'residual effects of a traumatic brain injury.' The defense, as well as prosecutors, requested that Jeffries be placed in federal Bureau of Prisons custody so he can be hospitalized and receive treatment that might allow his criminal case to proceed. 'The court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is presently suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent to the extent that he is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense,' Judge Nusrat Choudhury wrote in his decision. He directed the Attorney General's office to place Jeffries in a hospital for up to four months. Jeffries has been free on $10 million bond since pleading not guilty in October to federal charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. Prosecutors say he, his romantic partner and a third man used the promise of modeling jobs to lure men to drug-fueled sex parties in New York City, the Hamptons and other locations. Jeffries left Abercrombie in 2014 after more than two decades at the helm. His partner, Matthew Smith, has also pleaded not guilty and remains out on bond, as does their co-defendant, James Jacobson.
Washington Post
12-04-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Ex-Abercrombie CEO has dementia and is unfit for sex trafficking trial, prosecutors and defense say
NEW YORK — The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch is suffering from dementia and isn't competent to stand trial on sex trafficking charges , according to prosecutors and his lawyers. Michael Jeffries requires round-the-clock care because the 80-year-old has Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia and the 'residual effects of a traumatic brain injury,' defense attorneys wrote in a letter filed Thursday in a New York federal court, citing recent evaluations by medical professionals.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Sex trafficking trial of former Abercrombie CEO complicated by dementia concerns
NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) — Two doctors have determined former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries has dementia and is not mentally competent to sit trial for alleged sex trafficking crimes. Jeffries is facing one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution, charges that followed years of sexual misconduct allegations made in civil court and media interviews. Jeffries, 80, underwent an evaluation to determine if he was competent to stand trial. On April 10, doctors told the federal court in New York Jeffries has dementia and is not competent to proceed in the case against him. Jeffries, who has pleaded not guilty on all charges, abruptly retired from the New Albany-based company in 2014. He was in the role for 22 years. Doctors said his memory impairment and cognitive decline would not allow him to work with his defense attorney or accurately recall the events surrounding his accusations. Doctors requested the court put Jeffries in the Attorney General's custody and be hospitalized for treatment for up to four months. After this hospitalization, if Jeffries still is not competent, Jeffries requested the court place him under house arrest. Doctors said they believe he will not regain competency. Jeffries was charged with the sex crimes in October 2024, one year after a civil lawsuit accused Abercrombie of letting Jeffries run a sex-trafficking organization during his 22-year role as CEO. According to his indictment, Jeffries and two other men allegedly paid for dozens of men to travel and engage in commercial sex acts, even attending specific sexual events. Victims were allegedly coerced into these activities, believing they were being scouted for Abercrombie. The indictment accuses Jeffries and the two other men of implying noncompliance would hurt victims' careers, allegedly intentionally seeking out heterosexual men who would be uncomfortable with engaging in sexual acts. As of March, more than 40 men have come forward accusing Jeffries of sexual abuse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ex-Abercrombie chief has dementia and is unfit to stand trial, lawyers say
The former chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch is suffering from dementia and is not competent to stand trial on sex trafficking charges, prosecutors and his lawyers have said. Michael Jeffries requires around-the-clock care because the 80-year-old has Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia and the 'residual effects of a traumatic brain injury,' defence attorneys wrote in a letter filed in a New York federal court on Thursday, citing recent evaluations by medical professionals. Prosecutors and defence lawyers want a federal judge in Central Islip to place Jeffries in the custody of the federal bureau of prisons for up to four months so that he can be admitted to hospital and receive treatment that might allow his criminal case to proceed. Jeffries has been free on a 10 million-dollar bond since pleading not guilty to federal sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges in October. Prosecutors say Jeffries, his romantic partner and a third man lured men to drug-fuelled sex parties in New York City, the Hamptons and other locations by dangling the promise of modelling for the retailer's ads. Lawyers for Jeffries did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday, and the US attorney's office for the eastern district of New York declined to comment. In their letter, Jeffries's lawyers said at least four medical professionals concluded that their client's cognitive issues are 'progressive and incurable' and that he will not 'regain his competency and cannot be restored to competency in the future'. They said the doctors found that his cognitive issues 'significantly impair' his ability to understand the charges against him, and to consult and participate with his counsel in his defence. 'The progressive nature of his neurocognitive disorder ensures continued decline over time, further diminishing his already limited functional capacity,' Dr Alexander Bardey, a forensic psychiatrist, and Dr Cheryl Paradis, a forensic psychologist, wrote following their December evaluations. 'It is, therefore, our professional opinion, within a reasonable degree of psychological and psychiatric certainty, that Mr Jeffries is not competent to proceed in the current case and cannot be restored to competency in the future.' Jeffries left Abercrombie in 2014 after leading the company for more than two decades. He presided over the retailer's evolution from a Manhattan hunting and outdoor goods store founded in 1892 to a fixture of teen mall culture during the early 2000s. Jeffries' partner, Matthew Smith, has also pleaded not guilty and remains out on bond, as does their co-defendant, James Jacobson.
