Peter Nygard now faces sexual charges in Winnipeg awaiting trial in Que., Ont. and we

Disgraced Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard will face charges of sexual assault in Winnipeg, police said Tuesday.

The crimes were believed to have been committed in November 1993 and would have involved a victim who was 20 years old at the time, according to a press release from the Winnipeg Police Department.

The Winnipeg Police Department opened its investigation in June 2020. The police later submitted eight cases for consideration to Manitoba prosecutors, who decided not to pursue criminal charges.

However, the case was forwarded to Saskatchewan Justice for an independent review in December 2022. Saskatchewan’s findings led to Nygard being charged with sexual assault and unlawful imprisonment in Winnipeg, the WPS press release said.

KC Allan, a former model who grew up in Winnipeg, claims that Nygard raped her in 1979 when she was 17 years old. She made the allegation public in 2020 and made a statement to the Winnipeg Police Department.

Allan said she was happy to hear about the charges announced Tuesday, although they are unrelated to her allegation.

“It’s about time. It’s a damning comment on Manitoba’s so-called justice that we had to look the other way to get answers.”

Melissa Hazelton of the Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys — which represents provincial prosecutors in the province — says the union unequivocally supports its members and respects their opinions and hard work, but is unable to comment further.

To be continued elsewhere

Nygard also faces criminal charges in the US, Toronto and Quebec. Winnipeg police say officers from their sex crimes unit have arrested Nygard in Toronto.

He has been in custody since December 2020, after being arrested in Winnipeg on a preliminary warrant issued on behalf of US prosecutors.

He was initially held at Headingley Correctional Center but was transferred to Toronto South Detention Center after being charged with assault and forcible confinement in that city.

Nygard also faces a charge of assault and a charge of forcible confinement in Quebec, which allegedly took place between November 1997 and November 1998.

Nygard will be extradited to the US to face criminal charges after his Canadian charges are resolved. His lawyers have appealed the extradition order issued by Federal Attorney General David Lametti and are awaiting a decision from Manitoba’s Court of Appeals.

His Quebec assault trial will begin in June 2024.