Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him in his sexual assault case in Toronto, as jury selection for his trial begins.
An 82-year-old man appeared in court Thursday in a wheelchair.
Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him in his sexual assault case in Toronto, as jury selection for his trial begins.
The 82-year-old, who appeared in court Thursday in a wheelchair, wearing a black suit and with his long white hair in a bun, pleaded not guilty before sitting calmly next to his lawyers during the selection process. jury.
Nygard faces five counts of sexual assault and one count of forcible confinement, reduced from a total of 11 counts after a court heard last week that three of the eight original complainants in the case were not expected to testify.
He previously faced eight counts of sexual assault and three counts of forcible confinement.
The founder of a now-defunct international women’s clothing company has been accused of using his position in the fashion industry to attract women and girls.
Judge Robert Goldstein has said he expects jury selection to be completed this week and arguments to begin Tuesday.
Nygard, who founded Nygard International in Winnipeg in 1967, has denied the allegations against him.
He stepped down as president of the clothing company in 2020 before it filed for bankruptcy.
