Canadian designer Peter Nygard consents to US extradition
The Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard has consented to extradition to the US, where he faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges, lawyers for the prosecution and defence said at a hearing on Friday.
Separately, Toronto police service issued a statement saying it had an arrest warrant for Nygard on six charges of sexual assault and three charges of forcible confinement between 1987 and 2006.
Canada’s justice minister still must decide whether to extradite Nygard.
US authorities accuse Nygard, 80, of using his businesses to lure women and girls in the US, Canada and the Bahamas since 1995 to sexually gratify himself and his associates – accusations he denies.
The crown prosecutor Scott Farlinger told a Winnipeg courtroom that Nygard had agreed to extradition, which his lawyer, Brian Greenspan, confirmed.
Extradition allowed Nygard to mount his defence at trial in the US, Greenspan said, noting his client “has always unequivocally maintained his innocence of any wrongdoing”.
Nygard appeared from jail via video link, with his long grey hair pulled back from his face, wearing a blue mask and a jacket with the collar pulled over his ears. He spoke briefly to confirm that he understood the significance of agreeing to extradition.
The court of Queen’s bench chief justice, Glenn Joyal, told Nygard his transfer could not happen for at least 30 days and he had the right to apply for bail pending the justice minister’s decision on extradition.
The minister could consider that Nygard was wanted in Canada, said
Gerard Kennedy, an assistant law professor at the University of Manitoba. One option was to extradite him on the understanding that the US return Nygard to Canada to face charges, Kennedy said.
David Lametti is Canada’s justice minister, but the Canandian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, plans to name a new cabinet this month after Canada’s election.
Canadian police arrested Nygard in Winnipeg in December at the US government’s request under the countries’ extradition treaty.
Born in Finland, Nygard grew up in Manitoba, eventually running his namesake clothing companies and becoming one of Canada’s wealthiest people.