Defense attorneys representing the former longtime CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch have raised concerns about his mental health, suggesting that he may have dementia. They are calling for a competency hearing to determine if he is fit to stand trial on sex charges.
According to court documents revealed on Monday in federal court in Central Islip, Long Island, lawyers for Michael Jeffries stated that a neuropsychologist who assessed Jeffries in October believes he may be suffering from dementia with behavioral disturbance, Alzheimer’s disease, and Lewy body dementia.
The neuropsychologist’s report indicated that Jeffries is experiencing cognitive impairments such as memory loss, reduced attention span, slow processing speed, and confusion, which could impede his ability to assist his legal team.
In a joint communication to the judge, both defense attorneys and prosecutors proposed that experts who have evaluated Jeffries should testify during a two-day competency hearing scheduled for June, leading to a decision on his competency.
A spokesperson for the prosecutors declined to provide further comment on the matter.
At 80 years old, Jeffries is currently out on a $10 million bond after pleading not guilty to federal charges of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution in October.
Prosecutors allege that Jeffries, along with his partner and another individual, enticed men into drug-fueled sex parties in the Hamptons by offering them modeling opportunities for the retailer’s advertisements.
Jeffries stepped down from Abercrombie in 2014 after over two decades at the helm of the clothing retailer known for its preppy, all-American style and marketing featuring shirtless male models.
In an indictment revealed in October, prosecutors alleged that 15 individuals were coerced into participating in sex parties between 2008 and 2015 in various locations, including New York City, the Hamptons, and international hotels. The men were reportedly subjected to wearing costumes, using sex toys, and undergoing painful penile injections to induce erections.
