Rhianna Croxford
Appearances
Global News Podcast
Heathrow shutdown causes travel chaos
Lawyers have told me that these allegations now span 22 years, from 1992, when Mike Jeffries became chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch, all the way to 2015, shortly after he stepped down. Now, these claims have been brought by former models. But for the first time, they've also been brought by former employees or people who were employees of the company at the time.
Global News Podcast
Heathrow shutdown causes travel chaos
Now, some men have said that they were assaulted during photo shoots or while auditioning to be on Abercrombie campaigns. And this really matters because it raises serious questions for the company about what steps were taken to protect staff, but also to hold Mike Jeffries to account. He was both chief executive and chairman during this time. He wielded extraordinary power.
Global News Podcast
Heathrow shutdown causes travel chaos
So what checks and balances were in place?
Global News Podcast
Heathrow shutdown causes travel chaos
That's right. If you remember back in October, he was arrested and charged with running an international sex trafficking and prostitution business. And he was arrested alongside his British partner, Matthew Smith, and a middleman for the couple. And it followed a podcast series and a documentary that the BBC did called The Abercrombie Guys, which...
Global News Podcast
Heathrow shutdown causes travel chaos
revealed that they were behind a highly organised operation scouting young men for sex around the world. Now, they've all pled not guilty to those charges. They're now out under house arrest and are waiting to hear about a trial. But they've always denied the allegations.
Global News Podcast
Heathrow shutdown causes travel chaos
So Abercrombie didn't respond to our requests for comment, but they have previously said that they are appalled and disgusted by the allegations. But it's quite a tough time for the company. They're also facing lawsuits accusing it of negligence.
Global News Podcast
Heathrow shutdown causes travel chaos
And just last week, a court ruled that the company had to pay for Mike Jeffries' legal fees as he defends these criminal charges and also these civil lawsuits. And that's a bill that's likely to run into millions. And it matters because Abercrombie is a public company. It's got shareholders it's accountable to who could take legal action if they're unhappy about how their money is spent.
Global News Podcast
Heathrow shutdown causes travel chaos
But it's also got paying customers around the world. It's got 750 stores worldwide. So lots of questions. This could have big ramifications.
Global News Podcast
Heathrow shutdown causes travel chaos
On the criminal side, as I said, we're still waiting to hear about a trial. I understand that prosecutors are still interviewing potential witnesses. On the civil side, well, we have to wait and see. It might be that these lawsuits also go to trial, but they might also settle. And if there is a settlement, that's going to be a hugely expensive process and a hugely expensive outcome.