Dementia declare may derail former Abercrombie CEO’s trial : NPR

Michael Jeffries (proper), former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, walks out of federal courtroom after being indicted on costs of interstate intercourse trafficking and prostitution on October 25 in Central Islip, New York

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Heather Khalifa/AFP

A letter from the authorized workforce of former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, filed this week, claims he is probably not match to face trial in an ongoing intercourse trafficking case on account of an alleged analysis of Alzheimer’s illness and late-onset dementia.

The doc, which was filed in New York and reviewed by NPR, particulars how the 80-year-old Jeffries underwent an in-depth neuropsychological analysis in October, after his legal professional Brian Pepper started noticing a questionable degree of “consideration, focus, competence and understanding.” of the authorized and factual points being mentioned.”

Jeffries was arrested in October as a part of a federal investigation In the case of interstate sex trafficking and prostitution Which spans years of alleged abuse from 2008 to 2015. It got here one 12 months after gorgeous allegations emerged during which eight males accused Jeffries and his internal circle. To exploit them sexually At lavish events world wide.

Jeffries was taken into custody in West Palm Seaside, Florida, and delivered to New York for trial, the place he and two accomplices confronted one depend of intercourse trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution.

The opposite two have been Matthew Smith, Jeffries’ longtime romantic accomplice, who allegedly attended events with Jeffries; and James Jacobson, who allegedly recruited victims and acted as an middleman in arranging the sexual occasions.

Plaintiffs allege Drug-fueled intercourse events have been typically linked to the lure of potential modeling alternatives for younger males interested in one of many largest clothes manufacturers in America on the time.

The size of the allegations, which included tons of of 1000’s of {dollars} spent on an “undercover job drive” to handle these occasions and hold the alleged victims quiet, led New York State to request that Jeffries be held on $10 million bail.

However based on the outcomes of his evaluation detailed in a letter this week, the controversial retail mogul suffers from “neurological deficits”, with diagnoses of dementia with behavioral dysfunction, late-onset Alzheimer’s illness and Lewy physique dementia.

All three situations are irreversible and can proceed to worsen over time, his physician wrote. The physician claimed that Jeffries’ mixture of cognitive impairments made him “(un)capable of help his legal professional in defending himself.”

This is not the primary time neurocognitive decline has been identified as a possible obstacle to a sexual assault case: former grownup movie star Ron Jeremy, who pleaded not responsible to 34 counts of sexual assault, together with 12 counts By rape. The next 12 months when a California choose declared him incompetent to face trial after comparable well being issues to Jeffries. Defendants who have been prepared to testify in opposition to the perpetrator They were left distressed and disappointed.

A competency listening to for Jeffries is scheduled for June to find out whether or not the case in opposition to him can transfer ahead.