Abercrombie & Fitch former CEO Mike Jeffries has dementia and late onset Alzheimer’s disease, his lawyers have claimed in a court document. The 80-year-old was arrested alongside his partner Matthew Smith in October on federal sex trafficking charges. A competency hearing is scheduled for June next year to determine whether Jeffries is mentally fit to stand trial.
Prosecutors allege that Jeffries used his wealth and power to traffic men for his own sexual pleasure, with his partner Matthew Smith. The alleged operation involved using force, fraud, and coercion to make vulnerable models engage in violent sex acts. A middleman, James Jacobson, was also involved.
Jeffries’ lawyers have requested the competency hearing due to concerns about his mental fitness. A neuropsychologist’s initial examination found Jeffries suffered from dementia and probable late onset Alzheimer’s disease. His lawyer argues that this renders him unable to “rationally assist” with his defence.
If Jeffries is deemed incompetent, the charges against him and his partner could be dropped. However, if he’s considered competent, the case will proceed. The FBI began investigating last year after a BBC investigation revealed allegations of sex exploitation at events hosted by Jeffries and Smith.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjwl1658eego