Canadian fashion magnate Peter Nygard charged in sex trafficking scheme, including minors
Federal prosecutors unsealed sex trafficking charges Tuesday against Canadian fashion magnate Peter Nygard, allegedly linking him to a long-running scheme involving at least a dozen victims in the U.S., Bahamas, Canada and other locations.
Nygard, 79, was arrested by Canadian authorities Monday in Winnipeg at the request of U.S. officials.
For 25 years, prosecutors allege that Nygard used the resources and influence of an international fashion empire to “recruit and maintain adult and minor-aged female victims for Nygard’s sexual gratification and the sexual gratification of his friends and business associates.”
Prosecutors said Nygard and his associates, including his company’s employees, used “force, fraud, and coercion” to arrange sexual encounters for Nygard that involved minors.
“Nygard frequently targeted women and minor-aged girls who came from disadvantaged economic backgrounds (or) who had a history of abuse,” federal officials said. “He controlled his victims through threats, false promises of modeling opportunities and other career advancement, financial support, and by other coercive means, including constant surveillance, restrictions of movement, and physical isolation.”
Prosecutors asserted that Nygard “forcibly sexually assaulted” some victims, while others were assaulted by the executive’s associates to “ensure their compliance” with the sexual demands.
The nine-count indictment, which also included racketeering and prostitution charges, alleged that Nygard hosted so-called “swinger” and “pamper parties” at his properties in Marina del Rey, Calif., and the Bahamas where he used girlfriends or other employees to recruit others for sexual encounters.
“Some unwilling participants, including minors, were drugged to force their compliance with his sexual demands,” prosecutors asserted. “Other victims had no advance warning of Nygard’s interest in sexual activity before being lured to a secluded area of the property where Nygard used physical force (or) psychological pressure to coerce sex.”
An attorney for Nygard was not listed in the court record unsealed Tuesday.