Fashion mogul Peter Nygard arrested after sex abuse claims from 57 women
A wealthy fashion designer and close friend of Prince Andrew who hosted parties for young girls in his mansion is facing sex charges against girls as young as 14.
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A wealthy fashion designer and friend of Prince Andrew who hosted parties for young girls in his Caribbean mansion is facing sex assault charges against girls as young as 14.
Peter Nygard, 79, who hosted the Duke of York at his lavish estate, now faces being extradited to the US over allegations of assault that span four decades.
Mr Nygard is accused of raping girls as young as 14. He hosted Andrew, 60, with his former wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, at his Bahamas estate in the summer of 2000, shortly after the designer had settled cases of sexual harassment against three women out of court in Canada. He has also been photographed with the Duke’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
US authorities have charged him with racketeering and sex trafficking. Some 57 women have joined the suit alleging that Mr Nygard trafficked women and girls, and lured victims as young as 14 to “pamper parties” where they were raped.
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Mr Nygard, who denies the allegations, blames a conspiracy caused by a disagreement with his neighbour in the Bahamas. He is being held in Winnipeg Remand Centre under the Extradition Act with a court appearance expected imminently.
There is no suggestion that Andrew was involved in any impropriety, but his decision to maintain links with Mr Nygard is likely to raise eyebrows given his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in prison in August last year after being charged with underage sex trafficking.
“We are encouraged that a small measure of justice for Peter Nygard is finally developing,” Greg Gutzler, a lawyer representing complainants said. “But we would be remiss if we did not state that this is something that should have been done decades ago.
”In the original lawsuit filed at the start of this year, ten women accused Mr Nygard of luring them to his mansion with promises of cash and modelling jobs, before sexually assaulting them. Dozens more then came forward with allegations, stretching back as far as 1977.”
Several company executives and directors have been accused of enabling the assaults, with claims that Mr Nygard used bribery and intimidation to recruit victims and evade accountability.
The plaintiffs are asking for a jury trial and undetermined damages.
Earlier this year, two of Mr Nygard’s sons filed a separate lawsuit against him alleging they were statutorily raped as teenagers at his instruction. Mr Nygard denied the accusations.
Mr Nygard could not be reached for comment when contacted by The Times.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
Originally published as Fashion mogul Peter Nygard arrested after sex abuse claims from 57 women
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