Nygard used secret bedroom in his company's Toronto HQ for sexual assaults: Crown
Warning: There are graphic details in the following story
Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard had a private bedroom constructed within the walls of the Toronto headquarters of his fashion empire, where he sexually assaulted five women starting in the 1980s, prosecutors said in their opening statement in a Toronto courtroom Tuesday.
In the first detailed look at the criminal case against Nygard, Crown attorney Ana Serban took jurors through the summaries of the stories of the five women, saying that Nygard used his wealth and influence to lure them through job offers or exclusive experiences — but brought them to the secret bedroom instead.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“Peter Nygard leveraged his power and status as a wealthy fashion designer to lure and assault young women, “ Serban said, repeatedly referencing the former Niagara Street address of Nygard’s former headquarters.
“Within these walls there was a bedroom suite, with a giant bed and a jacuzzi, a bar and doors with no handles, with automatic locks. Keypad operated locks, locks controlled by Peter Nygard,” Serban said.
Nygard has pleaded not guilty to the five counts of sexual assault and one count of unlawful confinement. Publications bans in the case prevent media outlets from reporting on the names of alleged victims and witnesses.
Once a household name and synonymous with fashion, Nygard’s eponymous company is now bankrupt.
The 82-year-old’s signature white mane was pulled back when he arrived at the courtroom in Toronto Superior Court in a wheelchair. He was helped into his seat by a Toronto special constable.
Serban described one case in 1988, when Nygard was 46 and the alleged victim was 26. Nygard approached her on a flight to the Bahamas and offered her a job and to stay at his property there. He invited her to a job interview at the Niagara Street property but assaulted her in the bedroom, Serban said.
In 1988 or 1989, another woman met Nygard at a club in Quebec when she was 21 and he was 47, Serban said. They also ended up in the private bedroom, Serban said, and the woman called him after the alleged assault, worried about “making an enemy of someone so powerful,” Serban said.
In 1989, when Nygard was 48, he met a 28-year-old actress on a flight, and took her on dates for several months, including front row tickets to a Rolling Stones concert. Nygard also took her to this private bedroom, assaulted her and threw a $100 bill at her. The woman did come forward in 1998 but decided against pursuing it further, Serban said.
In 1996, when Nygard was 54, he met a 24-year-old model on a flight and offered her hostessing jobs. She accepted, and on one occasion Nygard hired her to host a party at the Toronto headquarters. Uncomfortable, she made herself a drink and passed out and woke up to a sexual assault, Serban said.
In 2005, when Nygard was 63, a man in his 30s invited a 16-year-old to a party at the Niagara Street headquarters. There was no party, Serban said, and the woman felt disoriented after a drink. After the sexual assault in the private room, another woman called the alleged victim to ask her to take pills she later discovered were emergency contraceptives, Serban said.
The women involved are expected to testify, as well as a police architect who will take the stand to describe the room with a drawing to scale.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

4 in custody after 'brutal' death of Quebec entrepreneur, partner in Dominica
Four people are in police custody after Quebec businessman Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand were found dead in Dominica.
Speaker Fergus apologizes, faces calls to resign over 'personal' video played at Ontario Liberal event
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus apologized to MPs on Monday about a 'personal' video tribute message played this weekend at the Ontario Liberal Party leadership convention, but two opposition parties say that's not enough and are now calling for him to resign over his 'unacceptable' participation in a partisan event.
Prince Harry challenges U.K. government's decision to strip him of security detail when he moved to U.S.
A lawyer for Prince Harry on Tuesday challenged the British government's decision to strip him of his security detail after he gave up his status as a working member of the royal family and moved to the United States.
Canada's grocery retail sector one of the most competitive on Earth: Sobeys CEO
The top executive at Sobeys asserted on Monday that Canada has one of the most competitive grocery retail sectors on the planet -- even as Canadians continue to feel the bite of higher prices.
opinion As Trump burns through cash, powerful Republicans are rallying behind a surging candidate
With less than 50 days until Republican voters begin the process of determining their nominee to take on President Joe Biden, political analyst Eric Ham writes about a storm brewing within the GOP -- as super-donors align behind a surging candidate who could pose a threat to frontrunner Donald Trump.
These are the 5 headlines you should read this morning
The CBC announces job cuts, House Speaker Greg Fergus faces calls to resign, and a prominent Quebec businessman and his partner were found dead in the Caribbean.
George Santos is offering personalized videos for US$200
George Santos already has a new gig. The former congressman, fresh off his historic expulsion last week, has created a Cameo account where the public can pay for a personalized video message.
70-year-old Ugandan woman gives birth to twins after fertility treatment
A 70-year-old woman in Uganda has given birth to twins after receiving fertility treatment, making her one of the world's oldest new mothers.
CBC cuts could change what programming you see on TV: Tait
The CBC's president says a round of layoffs and programming cuts the broadcaster announced this week could mean changes in what viewers see on television.