ABERCROMBIE & Fitch’s former CEO Mike Jeffries allegedly exploited young men for sex, a BBC investigation claims.
Also identified in the report was James Jacobson, who wears a distinctive snakeskin patch over his nose.
BBC Panorama – The abercrombie Guys: The Dark Side of CoolJames Jacobson – pictured – wore a snakeskin patch over his nose[/caption]
Who is James Jacobson?
The BBC named James Jacobson as an alleged middleman in a shocking Panorama investigation into claims of sexual exploitation at Abercrombie & Fitch.
In October 2023, it was claimed that ex-CEO Mike Jeffries allegedly exploited young men for sex before they were handed envelopes of cash.
The BBC‘s Panorama reports that Mike Jeffries and his British partner Matthew Smith used a middleman to find young men for sex events at Jeffries’ New York pad and at luxury hotels across the world.
What has James Jacobson been accused of?
Following a near three-year investigation, eight men told the broadcaster that they attended events – with some alleging they were abused or exploited.
The men said they were told that Jacobson was the gatekeeper to the “owners” of Abercrombie & Fitch.
It is claimed that Jacobson would pay recruiters between $500 and $1,000 for every young adult man they found for him.
The BBC claimed he propositioned or sexually “auditioned” men by requesting or offering to perform sex acts.
Alleged victim David Bradberry said: “He was selling fame, and the price was compliance.
“Jim made it clear to me that unless I let him perform oral sex on me, that I would not be meeting with Abercrombie & Fitch or Mike Jeffries.
“It should have been a red flag. I wanted to believe this was an opportunity to meet someone who could make all my dreams come true.”
Jacobson allegedly told Bradberry to dress in Abercrombie & Fitch clothes for the event.
The men were reportedly given detailed instructions about the events with no mention of the sex acts expected of them.
Bradberry also claimed that Jacobson “groomed” him for further exploitation by targeting his “self-esteem” telling him he was not “catalogue ready”.
Jacobson denied any wrongdoing – and said men entered the reported events “with their eyes wide open”.
He said in a statement to the BBC through his lawyer that he took offence at the suggestion of “any coercive, deceptive or forceful behaviour on my part” and had “no knowledge of any such conduct by others”.
He said: “Any encounter I had was fully consensual.
“Everyone I came into contact with who attended these events went in with their eyes wide open.”
Jeffries and Smith did not respond to requests for comment.
What could have happened to James Jacobson’s nose?
Bradberry and another man, Barrett Paul, described how Jacobson wore a distinctive snakeskin patch over his nose.
It is not known exactly what happened to Jacobson’s nose, however, it has been suggested to have been a result of botched plastic surgery.
As of 2023, it remains unclear where Jacobson is now.
Following the BBC’s Panorama reports attorney Brad Edwards and another legal expert called for an investigation to determine whether sex trafficking charges should be brought.
He said: “It has the hallmarks of a coercive sexual encounter.
“The events described by the men could be sex trafficking.”
The brand said it was “appalled and disgusted” by the pair’s alleged behaviour.
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