Latest news with #NewAlbany-based
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Heath ‘Central Park' district earns $5.8 million Ohio tax credit for second phase
HEATH, Ohio (WCMH) — A $218 million project tasking with building a downtown district for the city of Heath can move forward with a second phase after receiving a tax credit from the state of Ohio. New Albany-based Wallick Communities earned a $5.8 million tax credit on Jan. 27 from Ohio's Transformational Mixed-Use Development Program to build the $66 million second phase of Heath's 'Central Park' development. The project's first phase was also awarded by the program, receiving an $8.5 million tax credit in January 2024. Butcher shop known for wine bar, Ohio-raised beef closes after one year Central Park is one of nine Ohio projects that the mixed-use program decided to support last month, like a development being built on the former Germain Amphitheater site near Polaris Fashion Place. Tax credits were also provided to a new Columbus tower and a project aiming to revitalize Capital Square around the Statehouse. The Heath project's first phase is being built this year on 48 acres near Indian Mound Mall, spanning 500,000 square feet of development and including four mixed-use buildings, a community center and eight multi-family residential buildings. Amenities will include a clubhouse with a community pool, volleyball courts, green space and recreational trail access. In addition, the mixed-use buildings will be home to 42,000 square feet of commercial retail space expected to be occupied by shops, offices, restaurants and breweries. Bexley honors local Black leaders through annual banner program Central Park's second phase will develop more than 729,000 square feet and include additional multi-family residential buildings and assisted living facilities. A public plaza and a 410,000-square-foot sports complex with soccer fields and an ice skating rink are also planned for this phase. The Heath development is expected to create about 575 construction jobs and 376 permanent jobs at the site once completed. Fischer Homes announced last summer it will construct 21 single-family homes off State Route 13 in Heath as part of a development named 'Linnview Crossing,' marking the first time the company has built in the city. Linnview will be a few miles away from Central Park, and will offer 10 floor plans from Fischer's 'Maple Street Collection,' which range from 1,700 to 3,000 square feet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
