Abercrombie and ex-CEO sued over sex trafficking accusations

[+ azdr0710]

ancient joke.....

 

A man offers a young woman $1,000,000

to sleep with him for one night.

She looks at him, he’s a little older, a few pounds too heavy, but not too bad looking.

“For a million dollars? Sure, I’ll sleep with you.”

He smiles at her.

“How about $50, then?”

“How dare you! I’m not a whore!”

“Look, lady, we’ve already agreed what you are, now we’re just negotiating the price.”

[BrklynNYC]

11 hours ago, pubic_assistance said:

So....offering someone cash to someone who is in a position inferior to your own, in exchange for having sex with you is now "rape" ?  Y'all are in a LOT of trouble. 😉

It's not rape if there's consent. But the even the act of offering is considered sexual harassment. 

[pubic_assistance]

13 minutes ago, MmM said:

the act of offering is considered sexual harassment. 

..which is find ridiculous.

What a world these millennials are creating !

No wonder they are always depressed.

[dutchal]

You can read the indictment here:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/fashion/2024/10/22/mike-jeffries-indictment-document-pdf/

Here are the two statutes the defendants are accused of violating:

18 U.S. Code § 1591 - Sex trafficking of children or by force, fraud, or coercion

•  
•  

(a)Whoever knowingly—

(1)

in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides, obtains, advertises, maintains, patronizes, or solicits by any means a person; or

(2)

benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value, from participation in a venture which has engaged in an act described in violation of paragraph (1),

knowing, or, except where the act constituting the violation of paragraph (1) is advertising, in reckless disregard of the fact, that means of force, threats of force, fraud, coercion described in subsection (e)(2), or any combination of such means will be used to cause the person to engage in a commercial sex act, or that the person has not attained the age of 18 years and will be caused to engage in a commercial sex act, shall be punished as provided in subsection (b).

(b)The punishment for an offense under subsection (a) is—

(1)

if the offense was effected by means of force, threats of force, fraud, or coercion described in subsection (e)(2), or by any combination of such means, or if the person recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, advertised, patronized, or solicited had not attained the age of 14 years at the time of such offense, by a fine under this title and imprisonment for any term of years not less than 15 or for life; or

(2)

if the offense was not so effected, and the person recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, advertised, patronized, or solicited had attained the age of 14 years but had not attained the age of 18 years at the time of such offense, by a fine under this title and imprisonment for not less than 10 years or for life.

(c)

In a prosecution under subsection (a)(1) in which the defendant had a reasonable opportunity to observe the person so recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, maintained, patronized, or solicited, the Government need not prove that the defendant knew, or recklessly disregarded the fact, that the person had not attained the age of 18 years.

(d)

Whoever obstructs, attempts to obstruct, or in any way interferes with or prevents the enforcement of this section, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for a term not to exceed 25 years, or both.

(e)In this section:

(1)

The term “abuse or threatened abuse of law or legal process” means the use or threatened use of a law or legal process, whether administrative, civil, or criminal, in any manner or for any purpose for which the law was not designed, in order to exert pressure on another person to cause that person to take some action or refrain from taking some action.

(2)The term “coercion” means—

(A)

threats of serious harm to or physical restraint against any person;

(B)

any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause a person to believe that failure to perform an act would result in serious harm to or physical restraint against any person; or

(C)

the abuse or threatened abuse of law or the legal process.

(3)

The term “commercial sex act” means any sex act, on account of which anything of value is given to or received by any person.

(4)

The term “participation in a venture” means knowingly assisting, supporting, or facilitating a violation of subsection (a)(1).

(5)

The term “serious harm” means any harm, whether physical or nonphysical, including psychological, financial, or reputational harm, that is sufficiently serious, under all the surrounding circumstances, to compel a reasonable person of the same background and in the same circumstances to perform or to continue performing commercial sexual activity in order to avoid incurring that harm.

(6)

The term “venture” means any group of two or more individuals associated in fact, whether or not a legal entity.

18 U.S. Code § 2422 - Coercion and enticement

•  
•  

(a)

Whoever knowingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces any individual to travel in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any Territory or Possession of the United States, to engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.

(b)

Whoever, using the mail or any facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce, or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States knowingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years, to engage in prostitution or any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 10 years or for life.

[TallMuscl37]

No surprise 🤷🏾‍♂️ 

Abercrombie has always exemplified the privilege of White, wealthy, and what defines attraction. I know they tried to clean that up awhile back, but it still goes on today…it’s even how the gay America 🌎 revolves (in many cities except maybe Atlanta and Miami proper where minorities are the majority) . It was ingrained in adolescents during the most crucial times of their lives: middle and high school. 

Even though one person doesn’t speak for an entire brand, what they promote still encourages a “mentality” among others, to make some feel inferior and others superior (convenient huh) in some way.

Edited October 23, 2024 by Jarrod_Uncut

[dutchal]

Here's the government's description of their case and another link to the indictment if the one above doesn't work for you:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/former-ceo-abercrombie-fitch-and-two-other-individuals-charged-sex-trafficking-and

The paragraph with the bullet points lays out the argument that the sex was the product of coercion, as defined in the statute above.

[marylander1940]

On 10/22/2024 at 11:42 AM, BaronArtz said:

Former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries charged with 16 counts of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution

Well, now he is CHARGED with sex trafficking and interstate prostitution involving male 'models'.  Let's hope it didn't involve underage 'models'.

 

The simple act of asking somebody to go across state lines for any kind of criminal activity is hard to dismiss.

[LookingAround]

On 10/30/2023 at 8:11 AM, pubic_assistance said:

Personally I am very much disgusted with this me-too garbage, being applied to every bit of "next morning regret".

You willingly put yourself in the position to exchange sexual favors for career opportunity and cash, you have NOT been "raped".

You may regret your decision years later but this was YOUR DECISION.

 

Why am I not surprised by your assessment?

[Luv2play]

17 hours ago, azdr0710 said:

ancient joke.....

 

A man offers a young woman $1,000,000

to sleep with him for one night.

She looks at him, he’s a little older, a few pounds too heavy, but not too bad looking.

“For a million dollars? Sure, I’ll sleep with you.”

He smiles at her.

“How about $50, then?”

“How dare you! I’m not a whore!”

“Look, lady, we’ve already agreed what you are, now we’re just negotiating the price.”

Was it Noël Coward who came up with that line?

Iirc he posed the question to a society lady at a dinner party. She fell for the question and answered in the affirmative to an outrageous sum of money. Then he delivered the coup de grace.

Edited October 23, 2024 by Luv2play

[Danny-Darko]

18 hours ago, azdr0710 said:

ancient joke.....

 

A man offers a young woman $1,000,000

to sleep with him for one night.

She looks at him, he’s a little older, a few pounds too heavy, but not too bad looking.

“For a million dollars? Sure, I’ll sleep with you.”

He smiles at her.

“How about $50, then?”

“How dare you! I’m not a whore!”

“Look, lady, we’ve already agreed what you are, now we’re just negotiating the price.”

If I'm not mistaken, that's a line from the Robert Redford film "Indecent Proposal" (1993). Great scene! 

[+ nycman]

32 minutes ago, Luv2play said:

Was it Noël Coward who came up with that line?

It’s often attributed to Winston Churchill (and many others). 

[Luv2play]

I’ve looked it up and apparently the joke started with Lord Beaverbrook, a Canadian newspaper magnate in Britain in the first half of the 20th century. He was a great friend of Winston Churchill and served in his wartime cabinet. The lady in question apparently was an American actress. 

[Luv2play]

I’ve also read that the tale was attributed to Winston Churchill but he may have heard it from Beaverbrook, who was a frequent guest at Churchill’c country residence Chequers.

Beaverbrook was a self made millionaire and would more likely be the source of such humour, as bargaining was in his blood. 

[marylander1940]

40 minutes ago, nycman said:

It’s often attributed to Winston Churchill (and many others). 

I don't want to hear about him and anything sexual... 🤐

[moonlight]

IMO, there's a world of difference between offering simple cash for sex and threatening to impede one's career if sex is not provided or otherwise implying career advancement/opportunities in exchange for sex. There are certainly gray areas in the latter case (such as people offering sex to those in a position of power instead of a more top-down power dynamic). But this appears to be an example of a clear top-down power dynamic with threats to the models' livelihoods and career if they didn't play along and I find those cases to be clearly coercive and abusive. 

[marylander1940]

28 minutes ago, moonlight said:

IMO, there's a world of difference between offering simple cash for sex and threatening to impede one's career if sex is not provided or otherwise implying career advancement/opportunities in exchange for sex. There are certainly gray areas in the latter case (such as people offering sex to those in a position of power instead of a more top-down power dynamic). But this appears to be an example of a clear top-down power dynamic with threats to the models' livelihoods and career if they didn't play along and I find those cases to be clearly coercive and abusive. 

Especially when we are talking about young insecure men in a very competitive business with a limited time frame to make it or go back home empty handed.

Edited October 24, 2024 by marylander1940

[mike carey]

Thinking about recent commentary here on amending laws of consent to include the idea that it has to be freely given and can be withdrawn at any time I looked for a definition, and found this one from a Cornell U site (bear in mind this was an internet search, but to me it appears to include a good list of elements of consent:

Quote

Consent means that a person voluntarily and willfully agrees in response to another person's proposition. The person who consents must possess sufficient mental capacity. Consent also requires the absence of coercion, fraud or error.

 

[marylander1940]

 

[pubic_assistance]

The "try-outs" were a matter of young men being PAID to have sex with the recruiter. Then they would fly to another location to attend an orgy with the CEO.

To me...and maybe I'm wrong...there seems to be an awful LOT of volition on the part of these models in the attendance of these events.

Just say no.

 

 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

22 hours ago, pubic_assistance said:

To me...and maybe I'm wrong...there seems to be an awful LOT of volition on the part of these models in the attendance of these events.

Just say no.

You're not wrong.  They (mostly) knew what was going on and what was expected of them.

Also, they were paid very, very well.

Now they're crying wolf.  Many years later.  Go figure.

I had an acquaintance who was connected to Jeffries and he once contacted me about a handsomely paid 'assistant' gig.  I must have been 22 or 23 at the time.  The whole things felt a little too harem-esque for me.  I said no thanks.

Hindsight being what it is, I made the right decision.

[pubic_assistance]

29 minutes ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

I had an acquaintance who was connected to Jeffries and he once contacted me about a handsomely paid 'assistant' gig. 

I guess the line in the sand is whether some people were actually "drugged" as they alleged or whether they were willingly taking drugs. If they were PAID to attend and orgy where you partook in party favors.....then don't come telling me you were "raped". I'm not so quick to buy it...and I am someone who WAS raped while at a Halloween party (not a sex party) by somebody who drugged me by slipping something in my drink.

Edited November 13, 2024 by pubic_assistance
spelling

[Ali Gator]

Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch who was charged with sex trafficking, has dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, his legal team said in newly filed court documents.

A neuropsychologist diagnosed Jeffries following several evaluations, according to two filings filed in a New York court on Monday.

Brian H. Bieber, an attorney for Jeffries, began questioning the businessman's attentiveness, competency and focus, the filing states.

"The Michael Jeffries who presented himself did not even come close to resembling a master’s degree-educated individual, who was just nine years earlier, the chief executive officer of a publicly traded company," the document says.

Jeffries was arrested in West Palm Beach, Florida, in October on sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges. He was released on $10 million bond with a judge ordering that he be confined to home detention with GPS monitoring and prohibiting him from traveling without the proper approval. He also had to surrender his passport.

Jeffries has pleaded not guilty to one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution.

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, who is charged with sex trafficking, has dementia, lawyers say

WWW.NBCNEWS.COM

---

Mike Jeffries, who his lawyers say also has Alzheimer's disease, has pleaded not guilty to one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution.

 

[Luv2play]

On 10/22/2024 at 6:17 PM, Luv2play said:

You’re right about Hollywood and the practice of the casting couch going back ages. In fact it started around the time big money started flowing into Tinseltown and starlets started auditioning for parts in movies. 
Some of those starlets went on to become big stars working in the studios whose bosses had coerced them to have sex. 
Nothing much has changed except the types of players involved today. As media expanded the role models to both sexes and different types of fame based on looks, the practice widened to include these people. 
Who was it who said, sex sells? 

I resurrected this thread as I read today that Michael Jeffries has been declared by a judge to be incompetent to stand trial on the sex charges he was facing in the Abercrombie&Fitch case. Doctors have found him to have Alzheimer’s that prevent him from appreciating the nature of the charges against him. 
 

In the same newspaper, the NYTimes, was the announcement of the death of a former child actress from the 1930’s who died at her home in Beverly Hills this week. Cora ?  (forget her last name). At an early age she had dozens of roles opposite famous actors and actresses such as Greta Garbo who played her parents or uncles or aunts.

She didn’t go on to fame or fortune as much as her contemporaries like Shirley Temple, Andy Rooney and Judy Garland did because at 17 she was sexually propositioned by a screenwriter. She complained to Louis B Mayer, the head of her studio, and he just told her “Get used to it.” Of course he was an old lecher himself so no surprise. She quit Hollywood soon thereafter and disappeared. 
 

Not much has changed. 

Edited May 5 by Luv2play

[CuriousByNature]

3 hours ago, Luv2play said:

I resurrected this thread as I read today that Michael Jeffries has been declared by a judge to be incompetent to stand trial on the sex charges he was facing in the Abercrombie&Fitch case. Doctors have found him to have Alzheimer’s that prevent him from appreciating the nature of the charges against him. 
 

In the same newspaper, the NYTimes, was the announcement of the death of a former child actress from the 1930’s who died at her home in Beverly Hills this week. Cora ?  (forget her last name). At an early age she had dozens of roles opposite famous actors and actresses such as Greta Garbo who played her parents or uncles or aunts.

She didn’t go on to fame or fortune as much as her contemporaries like Shirley Temple, Andy Rooney and Judy Garland did because at 17 she was sexually propositioned by a screenwriter. She complained to Louis B Mayer, the head of her studio, and he just told her “Get used to it.” Of course he was an old lecher himself so no surprise. She quit Hollywood soon thereafter and disappeared. 
 

Not much has changed. 

That was probably Cora Sue Collins, who died in late April at 98 years old.  I think it was a screenwriter more than 30 years older than her who tried to get her to have sex with him in order to secure a role.  I believe she was only 15 or 16 at the time.

[caliguy]

I really miss the old Abercrombie. Hot naked guys on nearly every wall playing grab ass. Then there was the soft porn catalogs. 

Now you walk into their stores it's been completely sterilized and looks like every other store now. Well, except for the strong scent of cologne.