The case of the former Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) CEO takes a new turn as the FBI launches an investigation after the BBC revealed that Mike Jeffries sexually exploited and abused men during events he hosted around the world.

Mike Jeffries and his British partner also face charges related to a sex-trafficking ring.

The FBI has already begun investigations by examining witnesses, reports the BBC, a fact that Mike Jeffries’ side does not confirm, with his lawyer refusing to comment.

The investigation has been undertaken by FBI agents who they specialize in sexual crimes and federal prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York.

The FBI and the US Attorney’s Office declined to comment.

In October, a BBC documentary and podcast series revealed evidence that Mike Jeffries and his partner Matthew Smith had exploited young men for sex at events they hosted at their New York residences and around the world at luxury hotels .

Eight men told the BBC they had taken part in these events in cities such as London, Paris and Marrakesh between 2009 and 2015.

Documents uncovered by the BBC, including airline tickets and event itineraries, revealed a highly organized operation involving a recruitment network and a middleman, James Jacobson.

The BBC caught up with Jacobson, now 70, who denied any wrongdoing and said the men went to these events “with their eyes wide open”.

When approached at his home, Jacobson repeatedly asked to “make a deal”, saying “don’t mention my name and I’ll tell you everything”, which the BBC refused.

A&F told the BBC it was “appalled and disgusted” by Jeffries’ alleged accusations. The company has since suspended a significant portion of his pension payments, totaling $1m (£792,242) a year.

Through his lawyer, Jeffries has always refused to comment, while Smith has never responded to the BBC’s allegations.