Former Fashion Mogul Peter Nygard Sentenced to 11 Years for Sexual Assault of Four Women

Former Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard was sentenced to 11 years in prison for sexually assaulting four women, CNN reports.

The 83-year-old Nygard, once a prominent figure in the fashion industry, was found guilty of four counts of sexual assault in November 2023. He was acquitted of a fifth assault charge and one count of forcible confinement.

The charges against Nygard stem from allegations dating back to the 1980s and continuing into the mid-2000s.

During the trial, five women, whose identities are protected by a publication ban, testified about being invited to Nygard’s Toronto business headquarters under various pretexts, including tours and job interviews. All encounters culminated in a top-floor bedroom suite where four of the women were sexually assaulted.

The victims shared similar accounts of meeting Nygard in various settings, including airplanes, airport tarmac, and nightclubs, followed by invitations to his headquarters. Each of the five women testified that their encounters with Nygard ultimately ended in non-consensual sexual activity.

Nygard, who arrived at the courthouse in a wheelchair, did not address the court when given the opportunity. He has maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.

Justice Goldstein, in delivering the sentence, outlined the aggravating factor of one of the victims being just 16 years old at the time of the assault. He also noted Nygard’s lack of remorse and disregard for his victims.

The judge rejected arguments for a shorter sentence based on Nygard’s age and health issues, noting that he had received special treatment in custody due to his health conditions. Goldstein further suggested that Nygard had exaggerated the severity of his health problems.

Nygard’s lawyer had argued for a six-year sentence, while the Crown sought a 15-year term. Nygard, founder of Nygard International, a fashion company established in 1967, had built a successful empire, with stores throughout Winnipeg adorned with his photographs.

However, his career was abruptly derailed in February 2020 when the FBI and police raided his offices in New York City, leading to his arrest in Winnipeg under the Extradition Act. He faced nine charges in New York, including sex trafficking and racketeering.

Nygard stepped down as chairman of his company following the raid and Nygard International subsequently filed for bankruptcy and entered receivership.