By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
A woman who was raped by former fashion mogul Peter Nygard decades ago testified before a Canadian court, revealing that the incident left her traumatized for years. She reflected on the significant impact the assault had on her life, expressing heartbreak over how it derailed her.
Nygard, who once led a global apparel empire, was scheduled for sentencing on Thursday for sexually assaulting four women. However, the sentencing was postponed until August 2nd due to a family emergency affecting a prosecutor. Nygard, aged 83, was convicted by a Toronto jury last November but has denied the charges.
During his sentencing hearing, Nygard appeared in court wearing a black hoodie, a black puffer jacket, a face mask, and a visor, making his face barely visible. His sentencing has been delayed multiple times, partly due to ethical concerns leading to the resignation of two of his lawyers.
Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein rescheduled the sentencing, emphasizing the need for a prompt conclusion. In court, victim impact statements were read, with three of Nygard's accusers detailing the severe depression, anxiety, and career setbacks they experienced due to the assaults. One woman shared how Nygard's actions left her distrustful of men and unable to form long term relationships.
Nygard's legal troubles are far from over. He faces additional sexual assault and sex trafficking charges in Montreal, Winnipeg, and the US, all of which he denies. These charges have not yet been tested in court.
Prosecutors in Nygard's six week criminal trial argued that he used his wealth and status to assault five women between the late 1980s and 2005, often luring them with promises of work in the fashion industry. The assaults typically occurred in his Toronto office’s private bedroom suite, which featured a giant bed, a bar, and doors with no handles, controlled by Nygard.
Crown prosecutor Neville Golwalla requested a 15 year sentence for Nygard, citing the decades long wait for the victims to receive justice. In contrast, Nygard's lawyer, Gerri Wiebe, sought a six year sentence, arguing that Nygard's age, deteriorating health, and chronic pain should be considered. Nygard has been in custody since his arrest in late 2020.
Nygard's defense team suggested that his accusers were motivated by financial gain, a claim he echoed by stating he did not recall four of the five women involved. Despite this, the jury found him guilty on four counts of sexual assault and not guilty on a fifth count and one count of forcible confinement.
Nygard is set to face another sexual assault case in Montreal, with preliminary proceedings scheduled for January 2025. He also faces charges in Winnipeg for offenses allegedly committed in 1993. After resolving his Canadian cases, he is expected to be extradited to the US to face charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, accused of a decades long pattern of criminal conduct involving at least a dozen victims worldwide.
A separate class action lawsuit by 57 women in the US has been paused amid his criminal proceedings. In 2020, Nygard resigned as chairman of his firm, which subsequently filed for bankruptcy following a raid by US authorities on its New York headquarters.
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