Advertisement

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

Click to play video: 'Charges against Winnipeg ex-fashion mogul Peter Nygard in Toronto sex assault case reduced to 5'
Charges against Winnipeg ex-fashion mogul Peter Nygard in Toronto sex assault case reduced to 5
WATCH ABOVE: The number of charges in the Toronto sexual assault case against Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard has been reduced from 11 to six – Sep 11, 2023

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

The 82-year-old – who appeared in court in a wheelchair, sporting a black suit with his long white hair tied back – 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.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

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

Justice Robert Goldstein has said he expects jury selection in the case to be completed this week.

Story continues below advertisement

Nygard, 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.

He has denied all the allegations against him.

Nygard founded Nygard International in Winnipeg in 1967.

For years, Nygard stores throughout Winnipeg were draped in photos of him and he was given a key to the city in 2008.

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

Arguments in his Toronto case are set to begin Tuesday, with the trial expected to last approximately seven weeks.

Sponsored content

AdChoices