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

'The only choice': Defence Department going with Boeing to replace aging Aurora fleet
The federal government is buying at least 14 Boeing surveillance planes from the United States to replace the aging CP-140 Aurora fleet, cabinet ministers announced Thursday. The deal costs more than $10.3 billion in total, including US$5.9 billion for the jets themselves, and the planes are expected to be delivered in 2026 and 2027.
Blasted by Bloc, Conservative MP apologizes for asking minister to speak English
Conservative MP Rachael Thomas has apologized after drawing criticism from other members of Parliament for asking Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge to answer questions in English at a committee meeting.
Jaw-dropping video shows collapse at Coquitlam, B.C., construction site
Emergency work is underway after a collapse at a Coquitlam, B.C., construction site that was caught on camera this week.
NHL veteran Perry apologizes for 'inappropriate' behaviour, says he is seeking help
Corey Perry says he has started seeking help for his struggles with alcohol following his release from the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks.
Filmmakers in Bruce Peninsula 'accidentally' discover 128-year-old shipwreck
Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick were looking for invasive mussels when they found something no one has laid eyes on for 128 years.
Israeli military confirms release of 8 more Israeli hostages from captivity in Gaza Strip
Hamas freed eight Israeli hostages Thursday in exchange for Israel's release of more Palestinian prisoners under a last-minute deal to extend their ceasefire in Gaza by another day.
On 1st day, UN climate conference sets up fund for countries hit by disasters like flood and drought
Nearly all the world's nations on Thursday finalized the creation of a fund to help compensate countries struggling to cope with loss and damage caused by climate change, seen as a major first-day breakthrough at this year's UN climate conference
B.C. man tries to appeal driving ban by claiming his designated driver crashed his Mercedes, fled the scene
B.C.'s Supreme Court has upheld a 90-day driving ban for a man who refused to give a breath sample after crashing his Mercedes into a ditch – rejecting his claim that an "unnamed designated driver" was behind the wheel and fled the scene.
Suspect arrested in Morocco could be behind Ontario bomb threats, OPP says
Investigators have 'strong reason' to believe that a suspect taken into custody in Morocco could be behind numerous bomb threats across Ontario in early November, police say.