A FASHION mogul with links to Prince Andrew has been arrested in Canada — following sex assault claims from dozens of women.
Peter Nygard, 79, who once let the royal stay at his Caribbean mansion, was nicked under the Extradition Act in Winnipeg, Canada, today.
US authorities charged Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard with racketeering and sex trafficking, alleging decades of crimes that left dozens of victims in the United States, the Bahamas and Canada.
The charges were announced by Acting US Attorney Audrey Strauss in Manhattan, the FBI and New York City police.
Nygard was taken into custody in Winnipeg, Manitoba yesterday by Canadian police after the United States asked Canada to issue a warrant under the two countries’ extradition treaty.
The designer has been the subject of a class-action lawsuit in the US alleging he sexually assaulted women.
There is no suggestion Andrew was involved in any of the allegations.
Buckingham Palace was contacted for a comment.
Fifty-seven alleged victims — including a Brit — have joined the legal action, which claims that Nygard used violence, intimidation, bribery and company employees to lure victims.
Lisa Haba, one of the lawyers representing victims who are suing Nygard, said: “The survivors of our lawsuit have been waiting for this day for a very long time.
“Peter Nygard’s arrest marks the next chapter in holding him and his accomplices accountable for the unspeakable crimes against women and children they have perpetuated for decades.
“We will continue to seek justice.”
Nygard has denied all allegations and blames a conspiracy caused by a feud with his billionaire neighbour in the Bahamas.
That lawsuit against him was mysteriously put on pause in the summer by a judge in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Nygard stepped down as chairman of his company after the FBI and police in New York City raided his offices in February this year.
According to the lawsuit against him, Nygard regularly hosted sex- and alcohol-laced gatherings called “pamper parties” at the Bahamian estate and in California.
The parties were “both to promote the Nygard company’s brand and facilitate commercial sex acts”, according to the lawsuit.
A spokesman for Nygard said that the lawsuit was “the latest in a 10+ year string of attempts to try to destroy the reputation of a man through false statements”.
He added: “The allegations are completely false, without foundation and are vigorously denied.”
