'I tried to say no repeatedly': More men accuse ex-Abercrombie boss over sex events

Recently, more men have come forward to accuse Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, and his partner, Matthew Smith, of serious sexual misconduct. These allegations include claims of sexual exploitation, abuse, and even drugging. One man, who goes by the name Luke, shared a shocking experience he had in 2011 when he was invited to a hotel in Spain. Luke was just 20 years old at the time and thought he was going to participate in a photoshoot for Abercrombie & Fitch. He had received an invitation from someone who claimed to be a talent scout for Mr. Jeffries. When he arrived at the hotel suite, he was surprised to find that it looked like a movie set, complete with dim lighting and erotic photos of muscular men on the walls. There were also assistants dressed in Abercrombie uniforms pretending to be store employees. Luke was told to act as a shirtless greeter, which was a common practice in Abercrombie stores. However, things quickly took a disturbing turn when Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Smith entered the room. They began to touch Luke inappropriately, and despite his attempts to say 'no,' he felt trapped and overwhelmed. Luke's story is just one of many that have come to light since the BBC first reported on these allegations. In total, 20 men have shared their experiences of attending or helping to organize events hosted by Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Smith, which took place from 2009 to 2015. These events were not casual gatherings; they involved a complex operation to recruit young men. Some of the new witnesses have revealed that Mr. Jeffries' assistants played a significant role in these events, and there are claims that they injected some attendees with a substance they were told was Viagra. This raises serious questions about the nature of these gatherings and the treatment of the young men involved. Another man, Chris, recounted a terrifying experience where he felt he was going to die after receiving an injection at one of these events. He described feeling hot and dizzy, and when he needed medical assistance, no one called for help. Instead, he said Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Smith attempted to take advantage of him while he was in a vulnerable state. This highlights the dangerous and exploitative nature of these events. Keith Milkie, another former model, also spoke out about his experiences at these gatherings. He mentioned that he often felt uncomfortable and pressured to participate in activities he did not want to do. He recalled a specific incident where he was verbally abused by Mr. Jeffries after refusing to engage in a sexual act. Keith described feeling worthless and belittled, which underscores the power dynamics at play in these situations. The allegations against Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Smith have led to a civil lawsuit, claiming that Abercrombie & Fitch was involved in a sex-trafficking operation during the time Mr. Jeffries was in charge. Both Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Smith have denied any wrongdoing, stating that they will address these allegations in court. The situation has raised many questions about the culture within Abercrombie & Fitch and how young men were treated at these events. As more men come forward with their stories, it is clear that this issue is far-reaching and serious. The BBC has been investigating these claims, and Abercrombie & Fitch has announced that they are conducting their own independent investigation into the matter. The company has stated that they do not tolerate sexual abuse and are taking these allegations seriously. The outcome of the investigations and the civil lawsuit will be closely watched as more details emerge about the events and the people involved. The stories shared by these men reveal a troubling pattern of behavior and raise important questions about accountability and the treatment of young individuals in the modeling industry. It is crucial that these allegations are thoroughly investigated and that justice is served for those who have been harmed.