(New York, NY) – Former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, is facing federal charges for sex trafficking. Now, his lawyers are sharing the news that Jeffries has dementia. Back in October, Jeffries was arrested in West Palm Beach, Florida on charges including interstate prostitution. Jeffries pleaded not guilty and was ordered to home confinement while wearing an ankle monitor.
The case revolves around an alleged scheme where Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith, and a recruiter James Jacobson, would promise jobs and modeling gigs in exchange for sexual favors. In the latest development of the case, lawyers for the 80-year-old Jeffries, are not sure that their client is competent enough to “rationally assist” in his defense. Court filings from Monday describe the attorney, Brian Bieber, as questioning the ““attentiveness, focus, competency, and understanding” of his client at early meetings. Bieber argued that Jeffries’ mental state means he will not be able to help in his defense and therefore cannot be tried. A lawyer for the victims, Brad Edwards, is questioning the timing of that diagnosis and maintains that there must be some sort of accountability. A competency hearing is scheduled for next summer.
