Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, facing significant legal troubles, has been diagnosed with dementia and late onset Alzheimer's disease. His legal team is seeking a hearing to assess his mental fitness for standing trial on serious federal sex trafficking charges.
Dementia Claims Raised in Sex Trafficking Case of Ex-Abercrombie CEO
Dementia Claims Raised in Sex Trafficking Case of Ex-Abercrombie CEO
Mike Jeffries’ legal team announces he has dementia, complicating federal sex trafficking charges.
In a court filing made in New York, attorneys representing the 80-year-old Jeffries revealed the alarming diagnosis and requested a competency hearing to ascertain his ability to engage with his legal defense against the charges he faces. Jeffries, who led the clothing company Abercrombie & Fitch for 20 years, was arrested in October along with his partner, Matthew Smith, and a middleman, James Jacobson, as part of an international sex trafficking operation believed to have run from 2008 to 2015.
The allegations state that Jeffries exploited his personal wealth and influence to lure aspiring models into coercive and abusive sexual experiences. The investigation initiated by the FBI followed a BBC report detailing claims of exploitation against the couple during events worldwide. Both Jeffries and Smith have pleaded not guilty to all charges and currently remain free on bond.
As part of Jeffries’ defense, his lawyer noted a neuropsychologist’s evaluation concluded that he suffers from dual types of dementia, significantly affecting his cognitive abilities. The legal team expressed concern over Jeffries’ capacity to understand his defense options adequately, citing a notable decline from his previous role as CEO.
The competency hearing is set for June 16 and 17, 2025, which will determine whether these serious health concerns will halt legal proceedings against him. Meanwhile, the civil lawsuit against Abercrombie & Fitch, Jeffries, and his partner alleging the company’s involvement in a sex trafficking operation continues alongside their criminal prosecution.
In light of the ongoing situation, experts in mental health law are split on potential outcomes, indicating that if found incompetent, charges could be dropped, while co-defendants would still face trial based on other available evidence.
The allegations state that Jeffries exploited his personal wealth and influence to lure aspiring models into coercive and abusive sexual experiences. The investigation initiated by the FBI followed a BBC report detailing claims of exploitation against the couple during events worldwide. Both Jeffries and Smith have pleaded not guilty to all charges and currently remain free on bond.
As part of Jeffries’ defense, his lawyer noted a neuropsychologist’s evaluation concluded that he suffers from dual types of dementia, significantly affecting his cognitive abilities. The legal team expressed concern over Jeffries’ capacity to understand his defense options adequately, citing a notable decline from his previous role as CEO.
The competency hearing is set for June 16 and 17, 2025, which will determine whether these serious health concerns will halt legal proceedings against him. Meanwhile, the civil lawsuit against Abercrombie & Fitch, Jeffries, and his partner alleging the company’s involvement in a sex trafficking operation continues alongside their criminal prosecution.
In light of the ongoing situation, experts in mental health law are split on potential outcomes, indicating that if found incompetent, charges could be dropped, while co-defendants would still face trial based on other available evidence.
