Ontario’s top court has officially dismissed the appeal from Peter Nygard, the former fashion executive. This decision upholds his earlier convictions for sexual assault and confirms his prison sentence.
Background on the Case
Nygard, who is now 84 years old, received convictions on four counts of sexual assault in 2023. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison, which equates to nearly seven years when accounting for the time he spent in custody prior to his trial. The accusations against him span from the 1980s to the mid-2000s and involve multiple women. Among these women was a minor, aged 16 at the time of the alleged incidents.
Court Ruling Highlights
- The appeal was dismissed unanimously by a three-judge panel.
- It determined that the trial judge did not commit any significant errors.
- Evidence presented by clinical psychologist Lori Haskell was deemed a “harmless error.”
Nygard’s appeal contended that his sentence was harsh, and claimed that the trial judge improperly admitted expert testimony regarding trauma effects. However, the Crown argued that this testimony did not mislead the jury nor result in a miscarriage of justice.
Consequences of the Ruling
The Appeal Court’s ruling reaffirmed Nygard’s sentence, stating that any reduction was “not appropriate.” The court remained steadfast in its conclusion that no legal errors by the trial judge warranted a reconsideration of the verdict.
Additional Legal Issues
Nygard previously stepped down as chairman of his now-defunct women’s clothing business after federal authorities raided his New York offices six years ago. Last fall, a Manitoba judge stayed criminal charges due to the loss of evidence from police interviews, determining this compromised his right to a fair trial.
Initially, prosecutors in Manitoba chose not to charge him in 2020; however, the investigation was later reassigned to Saskatchewan Justice for an independent review, leading to Nygard’s eventual arrest.
Ongoing Legal Matters
- Nygard has filed a defamation lawsuit against both provincial governments and local police.
- He faces additional sexual charges in Quebec, along with potential extradition to the U.S. on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
Throughout these proceedings, Nygard has consistently denied all allegations against him.
