By Canadian Press

Fashion mogul Peter Nygard pleads not guilty as sex-assault trial opens in Toronto

Sep 21, 2023 | 9:07 AM

TORONTO — Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him in his Toronto sexual-assault case, as jury selection for his trial gets underway. 

The 82-year-old – who appeared in court Thursday in a wheelchair, sporting a black suit with his long white hair tied in a bun –  entered his not guilty pleas before sitting quietly beside his lawyers during the jury selection process.

Nygard is facing five counts of sexual assault and one count of forcible confinement, reduced from 11 total charges after a court heard last week that three of the eight original complainants in the case are not expected to testify.

He was previously facing eight counts of sexual assault and three forcible confinement charges.

The founder of a now-defunct international women’s clothing company has been accused of using his position in the fashion industry to lure women and girls.

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Justice Robert Goldstein has said he expects jury selection to be completed this week, with arguments set to begin on Tuesday.

Nygard – who in 1967 founded Nygard International in Winnipeg – has denied the allegations against him.

He stepped down as chairman of the clothing company in 2020 before it filed for bankruptcy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2023.

The Canadian Press