WINNIPEG -- Winnipeg fashion mogul Peter Nygard has been arrested by RCMP under Section 13 of the Extradition Act, and has been indicted by authorities in the United States.
Manitoba RCMP confirmed Nygard was arrested on Monday.
Late Tuesday morning, the Southern District of New York unsealed an indictment against Nygard, which includes nine counts.
The charges listed in the indictment include:
- racketeering conspiracy;
- conspiracy to commit sex trafficking;
- sex trafficking of a minor;
- two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion;
- transportation of a minor for purpose of prostitution;
- two counts of transportation for purpose of prostitution; and
- transportation for purpose of prostitution and illegal sexual activity.
None of the allegations against Nygard have been tested or proven in court.
Nygard appeared in the Manitoba Court of Queen'c Bench Tuesday afternoon, where his lawyer, Jay Prober, argued for a publication ban. The request for the publication ban was denied.
Nygard, 79, has been accused by 57 women in a class-action lawsuit of rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The lawsuit, which was filed in New York, was stayed earlier in the summer.
The lawsuit alleges the women, who are not named, were brought to Nygard's offices and properties with promises of modelling or other career opportunities. Some allege they were given alcohol spiked with drugs before they were sexually assaulted.
Two women allege they were as young as 14.
The women are asking for a trial by jury and are seeking yet-to-be-determined damages.
Two of Nygard's sons filed a separate lawsuit against their father this year claiming they were statutorily raped at his direction when they were teenagers. The sons say Nygard arranged for a woman to have sex with them. Nygard has said through his lawyer that he was shocked by the allegations and categorically denied them.
That lawsuit alleges Nygard's sexual predation is an "open secret" at Nygard's companies.
Through a representative, Nygard has denied the claims in both lawsuits.
Nygard stepped down from his company in February after the FBI and New York City police raided his headquarters in New York.
Greg Gutzler, a lawyer representing the alleged victims in the class-action lawsuit, released a statement Tuesday morning.
“On behalf of the dozens of survivors of decades-long abuse, we are encouraged that a small measure of justice for Peter Nygard is finally developing,” Gutzler said. “We are relieved that some measure of accountability is hopefully forthcoming, but we would be remiss if we did not state that this is something that should have been done decades ago. We also hope that his accomplices and co-conspirators are brought to justice for their web of lies and abuse.”
Nygard remains in custody, as lawyers prepare a bail application.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2021.
-With files from The Canadian Press, and CTV’s Danton Unger, Jill Macyshon, and Stephanie Tsicos.
