Menu

Topics

Connect

Comments

Comments closed.

Due to the sensitive and/or legal subject matter of some of the content on globalnews.ca, we reserve the ability to disable comments from time to time.

Please see our Commenting Policy for more.

No charges for Peter Nygard in Winnipeg cases involving 8 women: police

The pandemic has been especially tough on performers who have had their careers turned upside down as restrictions have led to the cancellation of many shows. But now, the arts are making a comeback and as Marney Blunt reports, it's back to show business – Dec 2, 2021

Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard will not face any charges in Winnipeg after a months-long police investigation into allegations of sexual assault by eight women in the city.

Story continues below advertisement

Eight files were referred by the Winnipeg Police Service to the Crown prosecutor’s office for review in December 2020 and now a year later, police say charges will not move forward.

Winnipeg police said specialized investigators worked through 15 separate files.

“Some of the victims did not want to be involved in criminal proceedings,” Chief Danny Smyth said in a statement.

READ MORE: Fashion mogul Peter Nygard has case put over until Dec. 10

Smyth said 29 witnesses were interviewed, including survivors, and approximately 1,600 documents were compiled over the 10 month investigation.

He added that 17 agencies and therapy professionals were also contacted.

By the end of the investigation, eight cases were submitted to Manitoba Justice for consideration.

However, crown attorneys will not be laying any charges.

Story continues below advertisement

“After review, they declined to authorize criminal charges against Mr. Nygard,” Smyth said.

No reasons have been given for why charges will not move foward.

“We understand the courage required of any survivor of sexual assault to come forward. We acknowledge and respect the decisions made by justice officials, and at times by survivors themselves, not to proceed with criminal proceedings,” he said.

READ MORE: Fashion mogul Peter Nygard escorted on flight to Toronto to face sex assault charges

Nygard is currently in custody in Toronto where he was flown from Winnipeg in October to face charges there.

Earlier that month an arrest warrant was issued by Toronto police for Nygard amid allegations of sexual assault and forcible confinement. The alleged incidents occurred between 1987 and 2006.

Police said at the time that the 80-year-old will be charged with six counts of sexual assault and three counts of forcible confinement upon arrest.

Story continues below advertisement

The Toronto Police Service announced the warrant on the same day Nygard appeared in a Winnipeg courtroom and agreed to be extradited to the US to face sex trafficking charges there.

Outside court that day, his lawyer Brian Greenspan said, “Mr. Nygard denies any allegation of criminal conduct.”

None have been tested in court as of yet.

Advertisement

You are viewing an Accelerated Mobile Webpage.

View Original Article