Peter Nygard’s defence lawyers ask Ontario Court of Appeal to review decision to deny bail

Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard’s legal team is seeking a review of a decision denying him bail while he appeals his sexual assault convictions and sentence in Ontario. Nygard’s lawyers argued before the Court of Appeal for Ontario that the motions judge made errors in dismissing the 83-year-old’s bail application last month. They claimed the judge undervalued a new medical report and failed to understand Nygard’s proposed bail arrangement.

The judge who denied Nygard’s bail application expressed concerns about the strength of his appeal and his potential flight risk due to facing charges in multiple jurisdictions. Nygard was convicted of four counts of sexual assault last year based on allegations dating back to the 1980s. His prison sentence totals nearly seven years after factoring in time already spent in custody.

Nygard’s legal team is appealing on grounds that his sentence is excessive and that the trial judge made errors, such as admitting expert testimony on trauma effects. The Appeal Court Justice who reviewed Nygard’s bail application highlighted issues with the new medical report, which heavily relied on self-reported information. Nygard’s new lawyer, Alan D. Gold, emphasized that the geriatric medicine specialist conducted a thorough examination of Nygard for over four hours.

Concerns were also raised about Nygard’s proposed bail plan to reside in a Winnipeg property owned by one of his employees. Gold explained that Nygard would essentially live under house arrest with two live-in caregivers, only leaving for medical appointments. The property owner would act as a financial surety to ensure Nygard’s compliance with bail conditions.

The Crown lawyer argued against Nygard’s bail approval, citing the lack of supervisory surety if he were to leave the province. However, Nygard’s legal team maintained that he is not a flight risk, especially given his inability to cross the border into the United States where he faces charges. Nygard, known for founding Nygard International, was arrested in Winnipeg in 2020 under the Extradition Act for charges in New York, including sex trafficking and racketeering.

In May, Manitoba’s highest court rejected Nygard’s request for a judicial review of his extradition order, upholding the decision made by the justice minister. Nygard also faces criminal charges in Quebec and Manitoba that have yet to be tried in court. The ongoing legal battles continue to unfold as Nygard fights to appeal his convictions and secure bail while awaiting further court proceedings.