Toronto Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein on Monday sentenced notorious fashion mogul Peter Nygard to 11 years in prison in his sexual assault trial.
The 84-year-old has seven years left on his sentence and will be eligible for parole in two years. The New York TimesGoldstein described Nygard as a “sexual predator” and said he used his wealth and influence to commit the assaults between the 1980s and 2005.
Nygard, who once headed a multi-million dollar clothing empire, was convicted of four counts of sexual assault after five women came forward with allegations, the report said. CBC.
According to The New York Times, prosecutors said Nygard lured the women, who were between 16 and 28 years old at the time, into his bedroom while giving them tours of the company's Toronto headquarters where the attacks allegedly took place.
Peter Nygaard and guests attend the 2005 Toronto Film Festival premiere of “Water” arriving at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, Canada. (Photo: John Shearer/WireImage) Getty Images
Before the assault allegations, Nygard was a rags-to-riches success story: He built a company from the ground up and was well-respected in the fashion industry.
A jury found Nygard guilty of four charges in November 2023 but acquitted him of sexually assaulting a fifth woman. The disgraced designer also faces trial in Montreal and Winnipeg and is expected to be extradited to New York, where prosecutors are charging Nygard with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and other charges. The next trial is scheduled to begin in January in Montreal, according to The New York Times.
Women in the Bahamas have also come forward with allegations against Nygard.
Peter Nygard and Eve arrive at the 17th Annual 100 Stars Night Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, USA. (Photo: Victor Spinelli/WireImage) Getty Images
Police arrested Nygard in Winnipeg in December 2020 and he remains in custody, which the judge took into consideration when sentencing.
Nygard was ushered into the courtroom in a wheelchair and looked noticeably disheveled in what Goldstein called “a failed Canadian success story.” According to The New York Times, Nygard's deteriorating health and ongoing legal issues contributed to the delay in his sentencing.
The former fashion executive has had to replace his legal team twice since his detention after his lawyers asked him to step aside from the case over ethical concerns, according to The New York Times.
According to the New York Times, Judge Goldstein grew frustrated with the continued delays to the sentencing, saying, “Unless Mr. Nygard goes into a coma, there will be no delays based on his medical condition.” (Related article: Brooke Shields' daughter upset after learning details of her mother's private life: Reports)
Goldstein also noted that Nygard received special care during his trial.
“Mr. Nygard has been given privileges and considerations that no one I have ever dealt with has ever received,” Goldstein told the court, according to The New York Times.
