Fashion designer Peter Nygard charged in Montreal with sexual assault

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Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard made a brief appearance before a judge via video-conference at the Montreal courthouse on Tuesday, where he was formally charged with sexual assault.

The 80-year-old founder of a company that expanded into an international empire was dressed entirely in orange as he appeared before Quebec Court Judge Anne-Marie Lanctôt to be formally charged with sexual assault and forcible confinement.

His long grey hair was tied up in a ponytail as he took notes and his attorney, Laurence Juillet, spoke on his behalf. Juillet asked that the charges not be read into the court record and informed the judge that she is waiting for the prosecution in Montreal to turn over its evidence to the defence.

Prosecutor Jérôme Laflamme informed the court that the evidence will be disclosed to Nygard’s lawyers on Tuesday. Laflamme also said the Crown objects to Nygard being released.

Nygard is charged with the sexual assault and forcible confinement of a person more than two decades ago. The crimes are alleged to have taken place between Nov. 1, 1997, and Nov. 15, 1998.

The charges were made public on Monday following an investigation by the Montreal police.

Juillet asked that the case be carried over to April 4 for a formality hearing.

“So I’m finished now?” Nygard asked before the hearing came to an end.

Nygard is the founder of an international clothing design, manufacturing and supply business based in Winnipeg with offices and warehouses in the United States, including New York City and California. His company has multiple product lines and brands.

He is detained in Toronto, where he faces six counts of sexual assault and three counts of forcible confinement.

He now faces criminal charges in at least three different cities in North America.

Last week, federal Justice Minister David Lametti tweeted that he had ordered that “Nygard be surrendered for extradition to the United States to face charges there, but only after current criminal charges in Canada have been addressed.”

Nygard has been detained since December 2020, when he was arrested in Manitoba on a request from authorities in the U.S., where he is charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking conspiracy, sex trafficking, transportation of a minor for prostitution and transportation for prostitution.

According to an indictment filed in a U.S. District Court in New York, Nygard and some of his employees are alleged to have “used company funds, employees, resources and influence to recruit, entice, transport, harbour and maintain adult and minor-aged female victims for Nygard’s sexual gratification and, on occasion, the gratification of Nygard’s personal friends and business associates by, among other things, sex trafficking, interstate and international transport for purposes of engaging in prostitution and other illegal sexual activities and related offences.”

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1995 and 2020.

The indictment also alleges Nygard used his company’s funds to organize “Pamper Parties,” dinners held in Marina Del Ray, Calif., and the Bahamas to facilitate the alleged crimes and that there were “at least dozens of adult and minor aged female victims.” The court document also describes how Nygard and other people are alleged to have “regularly patronized sex and ‘swingers’ clubs with one or more (of the victims), including clubs in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles and Winnipeg.”

“Nygard maintained control over his victims through threats, promises to grant or withhold modelling opportunities and other career advancement, granting and withholding of financial support, and by other coercive means, including constant surveillance, restrictions of movement and physical isolation.”

pcherry@postmedia.com