Executives of American clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch have been accused of luring aspiring models with false promises of modeling opportunities, only to subject them to sexual assault.
The complaint details how two aspiring models, who remain anonymous in this case, were allegedly lured into private meetings with promises of lucrative gigs only to be subjected to heinous acts of sexual assault by defendants Michael S. Jeffries and his associates, Matthew Smith, and James Jacobson.
"Jeffries knew that he would use promises of modeling opportunities...to force Plaintiffs to perform a commercial sex act," states the complaint.
According to the allegations, these incidents took place in various locations including Miami and New York City in 2011. John Doe #1 recounts being assaulted during what was supposed to be a professional casting call at a hotel in Miami and later at a house in the Hamptons. Similarly, John Doe #2 describes being raped after being flown to New York under false pretenses for further modeling work. The lawsuit claims these acts were part of an established pattern facilitated by Abercrombie & Fitch's resources.
The legal action cites multiple violations including those under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), New York’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law (VGMVPL), and other state laws concerning employment discrimination and personal injury through sexual assault and battery. The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages for emotional distress, physical injuries, and career impacts resulting from these alleged assaults.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Eric Baum, Adriana Alcalde, David John Hommel, Andrew M. Clark from Eisenberg & Baum LLP based in New York City, alongside Brian Silber from Victim Rights Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale. The case was filed in the Eastern District of New York under Case ID 1:25-cv-1105.