The former CEO of fashion giant Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) and his British partner have been arrested and charged with sex trafficking, the BBC understands.

Mike Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith and the couple’s alleged middleman were arrested Tuesday morning.

The FBI and prosecutors are expected to release more details at a press conference soon.

Lawyers for Mr Jeffries and Mr Smith have both previously denied any wrongdoing by either man. Responding to the latest news, Mr Jeffries’ lawyer told the BBC: “We will respond in detail to the allegations after the charges are revealed, and when appropriate, but intend to do so in the courthouse – not in the media.”

A lawyer for Mr. Smith has been contacted for further comment. A&F declined to comment on the latest developments.

The FBI opened an investigation last year after the BBC exposed claims that Mike Jeffries and his partner had sexually exploited and abused men at events they hosted at their New York homes and hotels around the world.

A BBC investigation discovered that there was a sophisticated operation involving an intermediary and a network of recruiters charged with recruiting men for the events.

Following the BBC’s reporting, a civil lawsuit was filed in New York accusing Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Smith of sex trafficking, rape and sexual assault.

The lawsuit also accused Abercrombie & Fitch of financing a sex trafficking operation led by its former CEO during the two decades he was in charge.

Under U.S. law, sex trafficking involves inducing an adult to travel to another state or country to have sex for money through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.

Brad Edwards of Edwards Henderson, a civil attorney representing some of the alleged victims, confirmed the arrest and said: “These arrests are a huge first step towards obtaining justice for the many victims who were exploited and abused through this sex trafficking program. for years under the legitimate coverage offered by Abercrombie.

“The BBC’s unprecedented reporting, coupled with our company’s lawsuit detailing the operation, is responsible for these monumental arrests. This was the result of impressive investigative journalism.”

In its investigation, the BBC spoke to 12 men who described attending or organizing events involving sex acts for Mr Jeffries, 79, and his British partner, Mr Smith, 60, between 2009 and 2015.

The eight men who attended the events said they were recruited by an intermediary identified by the BBC as James Jacobson.

Jacobson, 70, previously told the BBC in a statement through his lawyer that he took umbrage at the suggestion of “any coercive, deceptive or forceful behavior on my part” and had “no knowledge of any such behavior by others.”

The BBC also interviewed dozens of other sources, including former domestic workers.

Some men the BBC spoke to said they had been misled about the nature of the events or not told sex was involved. Others said they understood the events would be sexual, but not exactly what was expected of them. They all got paid.

Several people told the BBC that the intermediary or other recruiters had raised the possibility of modeling with A&F.

After the BBC’s initial investigation was published last year, A&F announced it would open an independent investigation into the allegations made. When we recently asked when this report would be ready – and whether the findings would be made public – the company declined to answer.

Like Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Smith, the brand has sought to have the civil lawsuit against the company dismissed, arguing that it had no knowledge of “the alleged sex trafficking enterprise” led by its former CEO – whose the brand is accused of financing it.

Earlier this year, a US court ruled that A&F must cover the costs of Mike Jeffries’ legal defense as he continues to fight civil charges of sex trafficking and rape. The judge ruled that the allegations were related to his business role after he sued the brand for refusing to pay his legal fees.

The brand said it did not comment on legal issues. However, in its defense filed in court, A&F said the current leadership team was “previously unaware of” the allegations until contacted by the BBC, adding that the company “abhors sexual abuse and the alleged conduct” by condemns Mr Jeffries and others.

Mr Jacobson – the intermediary – previously said in a statement through his lawyer that he took umbrage at the suggestion of “any coercive, deceptive or forceful conduct on my part” and had “no knowledge of any such conduct by others”.