Marc Jacobs's spring 2007 runway show at the Armory
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
Multiple news outlets (WWD and The New York Post among them) reported yesterday that Marc Jacobs International has been named in a bribery scandal involving the clothing designer's favorite venue: the 69th Regiment Armory. New York State attorney general Andrew Cuomo has indicted former Armory superintendent James Jackson on charges of accepting bribes from vendors—sometimes for more than $30,000—to book the venue, which typically rents for $6,000 a day. Cuomo said in a press conference on Wednesday that Marc Jacobs International had allegedly paid Jackson off multiple times through the brand's PR firm KCD Public Relations.
Cuomo added that Jacobs has been cooperative and that it is yet to be discerned whether his company (and KCD) committed a crime. "It's illegal to receive a bribe, but it can also be illegal to pay a bribe," Cuomo told the Post. Allegedly, Jacobs paid Jackson through KCD for nearly a decade.An unidentified vendor tipped off the attorney general's office, leading to the arrest of Jackson in October, and the discovery of 31 felony counts, including extortion, bribery, and grand larceny. Beyond cash, the eight-plus-year Armory veteran is said to also have been paid off in exercise and computer equipment. Jackson pleaded not guilty at his arraignment yesterday; he could face up to 20 years in jail if convicted.
For Fashion Week, Jacobs staged the presentation for his Marc by Marc Jacobs label at the Armory on Tuesday, and the Marc Jacobs show is scheduled for tonight. Other longtime Armory clients include 7th on Sale and Safe Horizon's annual Champion Awards luncheon. Brands such as Victoria's Secret, Cartier, and Fox have also hosted events there in recent years.
Cuomo added that Jacobs has been cooperative and that it is yet to be discerned whether his company (and KCD) committed a crime. "It's illegal to receive a bribe, but it can also be illegal to pay a bribe," Cuomo told the Post. Allegedly, Jacobs paid Jackson through KCD for nearly a decade.An unidentified vendor tipped off the attorney general's office, leading to the arrest of Jackson in October, and the discovery of 31 felony counts, including extortion, bribery, and grand larceny. Beyond cash, the eight-plus-year Armory veteran is said to also have been paid off in exercise and computer equipment. Jackson pleaded not guilty at his arraignment yesterday; he could face up to 20 years in jail if convicted.
For Fashion Week, Jacobs staged the presentation for his Marc by Marc Jacobs label at the Armory on Tuesday, and the Marc Jacobs show is scheduled for tonight. Other longtime Armory clients include 7th on Sale and Safe Horizon's annual Champion Awards luncheon. Brands such as Victoria's Secret, Cartier, and Fox have also hosted events there in recent years.
