Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business.
The journey of one journalist’s investigation that helped expose a high-profile international sex trafficking operation.
In a Manhattan federal courtroom, I finally came face to face with Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, whose story I’d spent years unraveling. Beside him was his British partner, Matthew Smith. What started as a search for industry abuse led me to uncover a global network that allegedly used the power of fame and wealth to coerce young men into exploitative sex work.
The investigation began innocently enough in early 2021, when I came across an Instagram comment from a former model, Barrett Pall, sharing his experience with abuse in the fashion industry. In our first call, he revealed dark details of a secret network operating at the highest levels of fashion, alleging that he had been recruited, manipulated, and forced into disturbing encounters with Mike Jeffries and Matthew Smith. Pall recounted being flown to Jeffries’ Hamptons mansion and subjected to what he described as an orchestrated “tryout,” overseen by middlemen and staff members who allegedly maintained strict control over the event.
Unearthing Evidence Step by Step
Pall’s story was unsettling but difficult to corroborate. I faced silence from many sources, hesitant to share their traumatic experiences. Yet, by using old school investigative methods, I eventually connected with former Abercrombie & Fitch models, ex staff members, and potential witnesses who could corroborate the allegations.
One breakthrough came when Pall provided an old iPad that, once repaired, yielded itinerary records from the event he attended. Slowly, I uncovered similar records linking other young men to similar gatherings, each arranged by the same middleman, James Jacobson. His influence ran deep, and his connections spanned continents. When confronted, Jacobson admitted to playing a role but ultimately shifted blame toward Jeffries, whom he referred to as the “mastermind.”
The Network and the Victims
Several men I spoke to shared similar stories of coercion, deception, and, in some cases, abuse. Some, like Alex, shared how they were promised modeling opportunities but were instead trafficked to lavish events, allegedly hosted by Jeffries and Smith, where they were exploited. For some, the experience led to lasting trauma; others shared fears of being targeted by security staff if they broke their silence. In court, many of the men testified that they’d felt shame, fear, and immense psychological burden, made worse by the unspoken stigma surrounding male exploitation in the modeling world.
A New Chapter in Justice
My reporting culminated in an investigative podcast series that provided victims with a platform to tell their stories. Soon after, the FBI took notice, launching its independent investigation, which ultimately led to Jeffries and Smith facing charges of international sex trafficking and coercion. The indictment reveals how, allegedly, security teams were hired not only for protection but to monitor and intimidate potential whistleblowers. Authorities also allege that more than 100 young men were victimized during Jeffries’ time at Abercrombie & Fitch.
US Attorney Breon Peace commented during the arraignment: “To anyone who thinks they can exploit and coerce others by using the so called ‘casting couch’ system, this case should serve as a warning. Prepare to trade that couch for a bed in federal prison.”
A Lasting Impact
As I reflect on this investigation, I am reminded of how long it took to earn trust from those who had suffered silently for years. For many, like Pall, sharing their stories provided a measure of healing and helped bring justice closer for many others. The fight isn’t over, as the legal proceedings continue, but this investigation has shown that, no matter how powerful, no one is beyond accountability.
For survivors, this case marks a step toward justice and a reminder of the power of persistence in uncovering truths long buried in darkness.
