Supreme Court of Canada denies fashion mogul Peter Nygard bail request
Posted September 9, 2021 1:00 am.
Last Updated September 9, 2021 8:33 pm.
OTTAWA — Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard, who faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges in the United States, will stay behind bars for the time being.
The 80-year-old had applied earlier this year to Supreme Court of Canada for permission to challenge a Manitoba ruling that denied him bail.
An Appeal Court justice ruled that Nygard’s detention was necessary because of the enormity of the allegations against him.
Peter Nygard isn't going anywhere. The fashion mogul is staying behind bars as he prepares to fight extradition to the US on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. @NEWS1130 https://t.co/r26fv3iX8I
— Dean Recksiedler (@RecksiedlerDean) September 9, 2021
Nygard is accused by American authorities of using his influence to lure women and girls with the promise of modelling and other financial opportunities.
He has denied all the allegations.
Nygard’s lawyers have argued that there is inconsistency in how courts decide on incarceration when it comes to extradition hearings.
Nygard was arrested in Winnipeg last December under the Extradition Act and faces nine counts in the Southern District of New York.
The 80-year-old was first denied bail in February with a judge citing concerns Nygard would contact witnesses if released. He appealed that decision and was again denied release in March.
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His lawyers presented the bail hearings with a release plan that included monitoring of all emails and text messages. It also involved an in-home security guard and 24-hour video surveillance.
Federal prosecutors argued that Nygard has the finances and personnel available to help him in obstructing justice.
Nygard’s extradition hearing is to take place in November. The extradition request from the U.S. details accounts from seven alleged victims who are expected to testify in a criminal trial in that country.
The women allege their livelihoods and their movements became dependent on having sex with Nygard. They say they were coerced through financial means or physical force.
Nygard is also the subject of a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. involving 57 women with similar allegations.
