Canadian Fashion Mogul Convicted After Six-Week Trial
Prince Andrew's close associate, Peter Nygard, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting four women. The 82-year-old Canadian fashion mogul was convicted after a six-week trial. Nygard had pleaded not guilty to all charges, but the jury found him guilty on four counts of sexual assault.
Allegations Stemming from the 1980s to the Mid-2000s
The charges against Nygard were based on allegations that spanned from the 1980s to the mid-2000s. Five women testified during the trial, stating that they were invited to Nygard's Toronto offices under false pretenses and ended up in his private suite, where four of them were sexually assaulted. The women described feeling trapped in the suite, with doors that required a keypad code or the push of a button near the bed to open.
Accusers Described Similar Patterns of Behavior
All five women who testified shared similar stories of meeting Nygard on a plane, at an airport, or at a nightclub before receiving invitations to meet him. They all alleged that their encounters with Nygard ended with non-consensual sexual activity. One of the complainants described Nygard as "a monster," while another stated that he lunged at her and pinned her down despite her repeated objections.
Prosecutors Accuse Nygard of Using Power and Status to Assault Women
During the trial, Canadian prosecutor Ana Serban argued that Nygard had used his power and status as a wealthy fashion designer to lure and sexually assault young women. Nygard denied all allegations and claimed he did not recall meeting or interacting with four of the accusers. He maintained that he would never engage in the conduct he was accused of.
Verdict and Future Legal Proceedings
Nygard was found guilty on four counts of sexual assault, but he was cleared of one count of sexual assault and a count of forcible confinement. Sentencing will be announced at a later date. Nygard is also facing charges of sexual assault and forcible confinement in separate cases in Quebec and Manitoba, as well as charges in the US.
Nygard's Rise and Connections
Peter Nygard founded a fashion firm in Winnipeg in 1967, which later became Nygard International. He achieved significant success and wealth, with nearly 170 stores at the peak of his empire. Nygard rubbed shoulders with political leaders, Hollywood stars, and even dined with the Queen. He invited Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson to his luxurious estate in the Bahamas in 2000, and the prince was pictured with Nygard during the visit.
Additional Allegations and Whistleblower's Footage
In the US, Nygard faces allegations of using company funds to host "pamper parties" where girls were drugged and women were assaulted if they did not comply with his sexual demands. Prosecutors also claim that Nygard paid for victims' plastic surgery, abortions, and child support for multiple children he reportedly fathered. Nygard's arrest came after a whistleblower released footage showing a 17-year-old dancing on a stripper pole on his private plane. Police raided Nygard's Manhattan corporate headquarters in 2020, and his company filed for bankruptcy protection soon after.
