Former fashion magnate Peter Nygard has been handed an 11-year prison sentence for the sexual assault of four women in Toronto, Canada. The assaults occurred between the late 1980s and 2005, culminating in a significant legal outcome for the 83-year-old, who was convicted by a jury last November after denying all charges.
Prosecutors had advocated for a 15-year sentence, emphasizing a “pattern of behaviour” exhibited by Peter Nygard in his assaults against the women. In contrast, his defense team sought a sentence of fewer than two years, citing his advanced age, deteriorating health, and the time he had already spent in custody.
Peter Nygard arrives in a vehicle during his sexual assault trial in Toronto. The former fashion executive has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.
This sentencing marks a pivotal moment in the legal saga surrounding Peter Nygard, but it is far from the end. He still faces a series of sexual assault and sex trafficking charges in Montreal and Winnipeg, as well as in the United States. These charges remain untested in court, and Peter Nygard maintains his innocence across all accusations.
The 11-year sentence accounts for time already served, meaning Peter Nygard will serve just over six additional years. He will be eligible for full parole in approximately two years.
During the sentencing, Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein delivered a scathing assessment of Peter Nygard, labeling him a “sexual predator” and a “Canadian success story gone very wrong.” Judge Goldstein stated, “He used his wealth and his power to commit four sexual assaults,” underscoring the abuse of power at the heart of the case.
Peter Nygard, once a celebrated figure in the fashion industry, built a global empire with Nygard International. However, beneath the veneer of success, accusations of systemic assault and trafficking of women in both the US and Canada have shadowed his career for decades.
The six-week criminal trial in Toronto last autumn brought to light the extent of these allegations. Prosecutors argued that Peter Nygard, whose wealth was once estimated at $700 million (£542 million), exploited his “status” to assault five women over several decades. The jury ultimately found Peter Nygard guilty of sexually assaulting four of these five women.
The testimonies from the women shared striking similarities. They recounted how Peter Nygard lured them under the guise of work opportunities or professional advancement within the fashion industry. Each woman was then invited for a private tour of Peter Nygard’s Toronto office, which invariably led to his personal bedroom suite. It was within these private quarters that the assaults, including rape and sexual assault, took place. At the time of the assaults, the victims ranged in age from 16 to 28.
One victim, in a deeply moving victim impact statement, described how the assault “derailed” her life, leaving her with enduring post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depression, and anxiety. Another victim revealed that the assault instilled in her a deep distrust of men and led her to avoid long-term relationships for decades. “Now a 63-year-old woman, I’m deeply saddened by the lack of love in my life,” she poignantly told the court, highlighting the lasting emotional scars inflicted by Peter Nygard’s actions.
Shannon Moroney, a therapist who has provided support to four of the accusers, read statements from them outside the courtroom following the sentencing. Several victims expressed that the sentence offered them a measure of closure. Quoting one of the accusers, Moroney stated, “We did this to ensure every victim of sexual assault will remember this trial and feel the strength and confidence to come forward and not be threatened by social status or money.” This sentiment underscores the broader impact of the case, potentially empowering future victims to seek justice.
Peter Nygard’s sentencing was initially expected shortly after his conviction in November, but repeated delays occurred, partly due to the resignation of two of his lawyers citing ethical concerns.
During the sentencing hearings, Crown prosecutor Neville Golwalla argued for a 15-year sentence, asserting it would adequately reflect the severity of Peter Nygard’s crimes and account for time already served. Conversely, his lawyer Gerri Wiebe argued for a lesser sentence, suggesting that a lengthy prison term would significantly shorten Peter Nygard’s life expectancy given his declining health.
Notably, nearly 20 individuals submitted letters to the court in support of Peter Nygard. These letters came from former business partners, philanthropic collaborators, an ex-girlfriend, his former dentist, and a pastor. They lauded Peter Nygard for his work ethic and his financial generosity towards individuals and various charitable causes, presenting a contrasting view of his character.
Peter Nygard has been in custody since his arrest in late 2020 and has been held in an infirmary within a Toronto detention center. The court heard that he has been granted privileges, including access to his own phone and email through his assistant, highlighting the complexities of his confinement.
With the Toronto case concluded, Peter Nygard is now set to face another sexual assault case in Montreal. In this case, he is charged with assaulting and forcibly confining a woman over two decades ago. A preliminary inquiry is scheduled to commence in January 2025.
Furthermore, Peter Nygard faces charges in Winnipeg related to alleged offenses from 1993 involving a 20-year-old woman. These charges include allegations that he held the woman captive and raped her after inviting her for a modeling opportunity. Peter Nygard has denied these charges and, in 2023, while already in custody for the Toronto case, sued his accuser for defamation.
Upon the completion of his criminal cases in Canada, Peter Nygard is expected to be extradited to the United States. US authorities claim that he engaged in a “decades-long pattern of criminal conduct” involving at least a dozen victims worldwide. Adding to his legal woes, a separate class-action lawsuit has been filed against him by 57 women in the US, although it is currently on hold due to the criminal proceedings.
In 2020, Peter Nygard stepped down as chairman of his company shortly before Nygard International declared bankruptcy, following a raid by US authorities on its New York headquarters. This marked a dramatic fall from grace for the once-prominent figure in the fashion world, as Peter Nygard now faces the consequences of his actions in multiple jurisdictions.
