Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges.
The 80-year-old appeared at federal court in Central Islip, on Long Island, to enter his plea.
He is due back in court on 12 December and is free on a $10m (£7.7m) bond.
It is alleged that for years Jeffries, his romantic partner Matthew Smith, and a third man, James Jacobson, lured men into taking part in sex parties by promising modelling for the clothing retailer.
Jacobson, 71, an employee of Jeffries, planned to plead not guilty, his lawyer said before today’s hearing.
Smith also appeared in court and was detained after prosecutors raised concerns the dual American and British citizen might flee the country.
In charges announced earlier this week, prosecutors say 15 accusers were induced by “force, fraud and coercion” to engage in drug-fuelled sex parties in which the men were sometimes directed to wear costumes, use sex toys and endure painful erection-inducing penile injections.
The events took place between 2008 and 2015 in the Hamptons, the resort on Long Island where Jeffries has a home, as well as at hotels in England, France, Italy, Morocco and St. Barts, according to the indictment.
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Content Source: news.sky.com