Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for sexually assaulting four women in Toronto, Canada, over the course of nearly two decades. The case, which has been closely followed, reveals disturbing details about the abuse of power, wealth, and influence in the fashion industry. Nygard’s sentencing marks a significant moment in the fight for justice, although his legal battles are far from over.
The Conviction and Sentencing
Peter Nygard, once a billionaire with an empire built around his global fashion business, was convicted last November on four counts of sexual assault. The assaults took place between the late 1980s and 2005, with his victims ranging in age from 16 to 28. Despite his denial of the charges, a jury found him guilty, and he has since been sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Nygard, now 83, has already been in custody since his arrest in late 2020. This means he has more than six years remaining to serve, with the possibility of full parole in two years. While prosecutors pushed for a 15-year sentence, citing a “pattern of behaviour,” Nygard’s defense team sought a sentence of less than two years due to his advanced age, declining health, and time already spent behind bars.
Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein, who presided over the case, referred to Nygard as a “sexual predator” who used his wealth and power to commit these heinous acts. He described Nygard’s actions as a “Canadian success story gone very wrong.”
Abuse of Power and Wealth
Nygard’s ability to manipulate and lure women with promises of work in the fashion industry played a central role in his convictions. The court heard how the women were invited to his Toronto office for professional opportunities, only to be assaulted in his private bedroom suite. The chilling similarity between each woman’s account painted a picture of systematic exploitation.
Prosecutors argued that Nygard, once worth at least $700 million, used his status in the fashion world to prey on vulnerable women over the span of decades. One of the victims shared in her victim impact statement how the assault left her with severe depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while another described how the trauma prevented her from forming long-term relationships.
Nygard’s Legal Troubles Are Far From Over
The Toronto case is not the end of Peter Nygard’s legal challenges. He faces additional sexual assault and sex trafficking charges in Montreal and Winnipeg. In Montreal, Nygard is accused of assaulting and forcibly confining a woman more than two decades ago, with a preliminary inquiry set to begin in January 2025. Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, he faces charges related to an incident in 1993, where he allegedly held a 20-year-old woman captive and raped her after offering her a modelling job. Nygard has denied all allegations and even sued one of his accusers for defamation.
Additionally, Nygard is expected to be extradited to the United States once his Canadian cases are completed. U.S. authorities claim that he engaged in a “decades-long pattern of criminal conduct,” which includes the sexual exploitation of at least a dozen victims worldwide. In 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Nygard by 57 women in the U.S., though proceedings were halted due to his criminal charges.
The Fall of Nygard International
Nygard’s fashion empire, which once thrived on the global stage, came crumbling down after U.S. authorities raided its New York headquarters in 2020. Shortly after, the company filed for bankruptcy, and Nygard stepped down as chairman of Nygard International.
Despite numerous letters of support from former business associates, an ex-girlfriend, and even a pastor, the judge ultimately focused on the pain and suffering Nygard inflicted on his victims. Justice Goldstein emphasised that Nygard’s philanthropy and business successes could not excuse his actions.
Peter Nygard’s 11-year sentence serves as a grim reminder of the lasting impact that abuse of power and wealth can have on victims. His crimes, which spanned decades, have left many women grappling with lifelong trauma. As Nygard faces further legal battles in Canada and the United States, his fall from grace continues to unfold, with his legacy tarnished beyond repair.
Further Reading
