Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries’ romantic partner pleads not guilty in sex-trafficking case
Matthew Smith, the partner of disgraced ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, was released on $10 million bond after pleading not guilty to sex trafficking and prostitution charges.
The romantic partner of disgraced former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was released on $10 million bond Tuesday after pleading not guilty to federal sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges.
Matthew Smith pleaded not guilty in Long Island Federal Court Tuesday, after he, Jeffries and Abercrombie employee James Jacobson were charged in a disturbing October indictment alleging they recruited dozens of men to “sex events” in Long Island, New York City and around the globe.
As part of his bond, Smith was ordered held on home detention with GPS monitoring, and must surrender his passport and resign as a trustee of a trust set up for him and Jeffries. They are restricted from withdrawing more than $125,000 monthly from that trust.
Jeffries was released on $10 million bond in October, Jacobson on $500,000. Both of them have also pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors had initially argued Smith was a flight risk because he’s a citizen of the United Kingdom.
Jeffries and his alleged accomplices were accused of flying their victims around the world, then locking them into the “events” and forcing them to give up their clothing, phones and wallets and sign nondisclosure agreements. Many of the men were hoping to kickstart careers as models.
They weren’t allowed to leave until Jeffries and Smith decided the party was over, according to the feds. The men were given alcohol, muscle relaxants referred to as “poppers,” lube, Viagra and condoms, and told to wear costumes and use sex toys, the indictment said.
The victims would be subjected to high-pressure enemas, the unexpected shaving of their genitals and, in some cases, unwanted performance-enhancing injections in their penises, the indictment alleges.
Some of the victims worked at Abercrombie stores or modeled for the fashion giant, and were led to believe that refusing to partake in the sex events would destroy their careers, the feds allege.
Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson are all due back in court on Dec. 10.
What's Your Reaction?
