By bizn_fun 
In March, a court ruled that Abercrombie & Fitch had to pay for Mr Jeffries’ criminal defence costs – a figure lawyers say is likely to run into millions – as a result of an indemnification agreement he signed while stepping down in 2014.
Then, in May, Brian Bieber, Mr Jeffries’ criminal defence lawyer, said his client had been evaluated by doctors who determined he had Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body disease, and the residual effects of a traumatic brain injury requiring around-the-clock care, which was supported by two medical experts.
Alongside criminal charges, Mr Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith and Abercrombie & Fitch have been defending multiple civil lawsuits brought by alleged victims.
Earlier this year, the BBC revealed that more than 40 men have now come forward with civil allegations of rape, sexual assault or drugging, accusations Mr Jeffries and Mr Smith “vehemently deny”.
One of the plaintiffs, who asked to remain anonymous as he’s been interviewed by the FBI as part of its criminal investigation, said he was shocked and relieved by the latest opinion that Mr Jeffries is fit to stand trial.
“For the first time, it feels like we’re now moving toward a future where he must answer for what happened and for what so many of us endured.
“It means the truth could finally be heard in a courtroom, and for survivors, that moment for accountability has been a long time coming.
“I hope the system will finally require him to stand up and face the weight of everything he’s spent years avoiding.”
Abercrombie & Fitch did not respond to requests for comment, though it has previously said that it had no knowledge of alleged sexual misconduct or sex trafficking and “up until the moment that the BBC’s reporting was released in October 2023, there was nothing public about the allegations against Jeffries”.
It said that new leadership had since transformed the company, and it has “zero tolerance for abuse, harassment or discrimination of any kind”.