In a landmark ruling, Peter Nygard, the 82-year-old founder of one of Canada’s major clothing brands, has been convicted on four counts of sexual assault in Toronto. The verdict, delivered by Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice, followed a seven-week trial addressing charges spanning from 1988 to 2005, involving four women and a 16-year-old girl.
The jury deliberated for five days, ultimately finding Nygard guilty on four counts while acquitting him on one count of sexual assault and one count of forcible confinement. This trial marks the beginning of a series of charges Nygard faces for alleged sex crimes spanning multiple decades in both Canada and the United States.
Addressing the jury, Justice Robert Goldstein acknowledged the arduous nature of the case. Nygard’s lawyer, Brian Greenspan, hinted at the possibility of appealing the verdict, emphasizing what he deemed «contradictions and innuendo» in the case.
Greenspan disputed the prosecution’s portrayal of Nygard as an «evil predator,» calling it unfair and inaccurate. He questioned the credibility of the complainants, suggesting financial motives due to their involvement in a US class-action lawsuit against Nygard.
Prosecutor Ana Serban countered, highlighting the consistency in the accusers’ accounts, portraying it as a «pattern of behavior.» She criticized Nygard’s evasiveness and inconsistent testimony during the trial, emphasizing the «remarkably similar accounts» shared by independent accusers.
Nygard, testifying in his defense, denied knowing four of the accusers and vehemently rejected the allegations, claiming a lack of memory due to age. Sentencing is scheduled for November 21, and Nygard remains in detention since his 2020 arrest.
This verdict precedes Nygard’s upcoming legal battles in Quebec and Manitoba, alongside potential extradition to the United States, where he faces charges of sexual assault, racketeering, and trafficking involving dozens of women and girls.
