In a court filing in New York, attorneys for former Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) CEO Mike Jeffries revealed that he is suffering from dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. His legal team has requested a competency hearing to determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Jeffries, who led the American clothing brand for two decades, and his partner, Matthew Smith, were arrested in October on allegations of running an international sex trafficking and prostitution ring. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
The competency hearing is set for June 2025. Prosecutors allege that Jeffries and Smith operated the trafficking enterprise between 2008 and 2015, exploiting Jeffries’ wealth and influence to coerce vulnerable men, including aspiring models, into participating in violent and exploitative sexual acts.
The indictment claims that Jeffries, Smith, and a middleman, James Jacobson, used deceit, coercion, and force to compel victims into these activities. Jacobson, aged 71, has also pleaded not guilty.
Jeffries’ lawyer, Brian Bieber, stated that his client has undergone multiple evaluations by a neuropsychologist, who concluded he likely suffers from two types of dementia and probable late-onset Alzheimer’s. Bieber noted in a court submission that Jeffries’ current cognitive state starkly contrasts with his former role as a high-powered CEO.
“During our initial meeting last year, Mr. Jeffries did not remotely resemble someone who once held a master’s degree and led a publicly traded company,” Bieber wrote, expressing concerns about his ability to assist in his own defense.
The competency hearing will span two days, scheduled for June 16 and 17, 2025. Federal prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York have declined to comment on the case.
In addition to the criminal charges, Jeffries, Smith, and A&F face a civil lawsuit accusing the company of financing the alleged sex trafficking operation. Jeffries has also filed a lawsuit against A&F, claiming the company has refused to cover his legal defense costs despite an indemnity agreement related to his tenure as CEO.
Jeffries stepped down as A&F’s CEO and chairman in 2014, receiving a retirement package worth $25 million. The criminal investigation into his activities began after a 2022 BBC exposé that brought allegations of sexual exploitation to light.
As the legal proceedings unfold, questions about Jeffries’ health and the gravity of the accusations have brought increased scrutiny to his leadership at A&F and the company’s corporate culture during his tenure.
