In a landmark six-week trial, a Canadian jury has declared former fashion magnate Peter Nygard guilty of sexual assault charges, spanning from the late 1980s to 2005. Nygard, 82, allegedly exploited his “status” to assault five women, aged 16 to 28 at the time, in a series of incidents. Despite denying the charges, Nygard was found guilty on multiple counts. The verdict marks a dramatic turn for the once high-profile figure, now facing additional trials and extradition to the US.
Prosecutors claimed Nygard lured victims to a private luxury room in his Toronto headquarters, equipped with a bed, bar, and automatic locks. Nygard’s defence team argued against the allegations, labeling the accusers as motivated by financial gain.
As the guilty verdicts were delivered, Nygard, once worth an estimated $700 million, faces a staggering fall from grace. His legal battles continue, with upcoming trials in Montreal and Winnipeg, along with impending extradition proceedings to the US. This comes after Nygard resigned as chairman of Nygard International in 2020, leading to the company’s bankruptcy. Jailed since his December 2020 arrest, Nygard’s criminal conduct spans global accusations.