Abercrombie Sued by Ex-CEO Facing Sexual Assault Allegations

Former Abercrombie & Fitch Co. CEO Michael Jeffries sued the apparel retailer, demanding that it cover legal fees he’s set to incur defending himself against sexual assault allegations raised by a lawsuit in October.

Jeffries filed suit Monday in Delaware, saying Abercrombie is ignoring his right to have his fees fronted in connection with the proposed class action, which also targets the business. Abercrombie is required by contract to cover any claims against Jeffries that are “based upon and arise out of his position as an officer” of the company from 1992 to 2014, the complaint says.

Abercrombie didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

The earlier lawsuit, filed Oct. 27 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, says Jeffries “used his position as Abercrombie’s CEO to perpetuate a widespread sex-trafficking operation” in which “young men aspiring to become Abercrombie models were preyed upon,” according to his filing in Delaware’s Chancery Court.

The ongoing suit in federal court says Jeffries exploited his position to “ensnare” more than 100 male victims with free clothes and gifts cards, false promises about modeling opportunities, and by “having staff at the sex-trafficking events dressed in Abercrombie clothing,” according to the Delaware complaint.

Despite its obligation to pay for the case, Abercrombie denied Jeffries’ initial bid to have his fees covered and ignored his renewed request, the new suit says. It requests fast-track status.

Jeffries is represented by Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP and Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. Abercrombie, which hasn’t yet made a court appearance in Delaware, is represented in New York by Hogan Lovells US LLP.

The case is Jeffries v. Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Del. Ch., No. 2023-1211, complaint filed 12/4/23.