The company, Abercrombie & Fitch, has stated that it will collaborate with law enforcement in response to the sex trafficking arrest of its former CEO.

• The brand, Abercrombie & Fitch, stated that they are fully cooperating with federal prosecutors in their ongoing investigation of former CEO Mike Jeffries for sex trafficking and prostitution.
• A company spokesperson told CNBC in a statement that they were appalled and disgusted by the alleged behavior of Mr. Jeffries.
• Jeffries was arrested for allegedly coercing aspiring Abercrombie models into sex acts in exchange for modeling gigs and other acts, leading to charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution.

The company has severed ties with its former CEO Mike Jeffries, who was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges. The company stated in a Wednesday announcement that it is fully cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing legal process.

In October 2023, when the accusations against Mr. Jeffries were made public, we expressed our shock and revulsion at his alleged behavior, even though he had left Abercrombie & Fitch Co. over a decade ago.

""We have been a values-driven organization for over a decade, with a zero-tolerance policy for abuse, harassment, or discrimination of any kind," the spokesperson stated."

Shares of Abercrombie were down about 5% on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie from 1992 to 2014, along with his partner Matthew Smith and another associate, were arrested on charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution that prosecutors claim occurred during his time at the company.

Aspiring Abercrombie models were allegedly forced into sexual acts by Jeffries and Smith in exchange for modeling opportunities, as well as other acts.

Prosecutors stated in a court filing that many of the victims, including one who was just 19 years old, were financially vulnerable and aimed to become models in the fashion industry, which is known for being highly competitive.

"Some of the men recruited had previously worked at Abercrombie stores or modeled for Abercrombie."

During Jeffries' leadership, Abercrombie gained notoriety for its provocative advertising and targeting of attractive, trendy youth, but it wasn't until the BBC released a damning exposé on his behavior last year that the extent of his alleged misconduct came to light.

A man who claimed to have been victimized by Jeffries and Abercrombie in the 2010s when he was recruited for a modeling opportunity sued the former CEOs soon after an investigation was published.

A year has passed, and federal prosecutors have filed charges against Jeffries. His lawyer, Brian Bieber, stated that they would provide a more detailed response to the allegations at a later time, as reported by NBC News on Tuesday.

Bieber stated that we will provide a detailed response to the allegations after the Indictment is unsealed and only in the courthouse, not through the media.

In 2014, the longtime retailer was removed from Abercrombie due to a prolonged sales decline. Currently, under the leadership of CEO Fran Horowitz, Abercrombie is among the top-performing apparel companies in the industry. The company has introduced inclusive sizing and jeans designed for curvier bodies, and its marketing now emphasizes that it no longer targets a specific racial background.

Abercrombie stated that it backs the victims who have come forward.

"The spokesperson stated that "it is not easy to speak up and come forward," while expressing their support for those who have bravely participated in the federal investigation."