The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, has been diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, according to his legal team. Lawyers for Jeffries revealed the diagnosis in a court document filed in New York as they seek a competency hearing to determine his mental fitness to stand trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Jeffries, 80, was arrested in October alongside his British partner, Matthew Smith, 61. Both men have pleaded not guilty to allegations of running an international sex trafficking and prostitution ring from at least 2008 to 2015. The accusations claim they exploited their wealth and status to coerce aspiring male models into violent and exploitative sexual acts.
Federal prosecutors allege that Jeffries and Smith, with the assistance of a middleman, James Jacobson, 71, engaged in force, fraud, and coercion to traffic victims globally. All three men are out on bond awaiting further legal proceedings.
The FBI began investigating Jeffries last year following claims that he and Smith exploited young men at high-profile events around the world. An investigative report published in October 2023 revealed that the pair operated a sophisticated scheme to recruit victims for their illicit activities.
Jeffries’ lawyer, Brian Bieber, has stated that his client has been examined multiple times by a neuropsychologist, who concluded he is suffering from two forms of dementia and probable late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. In court filings, Bieber questioned Jeffries’ capacity to participate in his legal defense, noting significant cognitive decline that left him unable to resemble the executive he once was.
A competency hearing is scheduled for June 16 and 17, 2025, to assess Jeffries’ ability to stand trial. Federal prosecutors have declined to comment on the matter.
Jeffries, who served as Abercrombie & Fitch’s CEO for two decades, stepped down in 2014 with a $25 million retirement package. The former fashion mogul, along with his partner and the brand, is also facing a civil lawsuit alleging the company financially supported a sex trafficking operation.
Earlier this month, Jeffries filed a lawsuit against Abercrombie & Fitch, arguing that the company should cover his criminal defense costs as part of an indemnification agreement related to his tenure as CEO.
The case continues to attract global attention, with accusations of exploitation, power abuse, and corporate complicity at the heart of the legal battle.