WINNIPEG –
The Winnipeg Police Service said it will not bring any criminal charges against former fashion mogul Peter Nygard after an extensive investigation into alleged sexual assaults.
In a statement, Police Chief Danny Smyth said that eight cases were referred to the Manitoba Justice for consideration, but that after a review by the Manitoba Justice, they refused to authorize criminal charges.
Nygard is currently in custody in Toronto on historic sexual assault charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 10. He also faces extortion and sex trafficking charges in New York, and has agreed to extradition.
Neither charge in the two cases has been proven in court and Nygard is presumed innocent.
Smyth said in his statement that specialized investigators worked through 15 separate files and added that some victims did not want to be involved in criminal proceedings.
“Twenty-nine witnesses, including survivors, were interviewed as part of these investigations,” he wrote. “More than 17 agencies and therapy professionals were contacted as part of the investigations.”
He added that approximately 1,600 documents were collected during the investigations.
“The Winnipeg Police Service Sex Crimes Unit takes a survivor-centered approach when it comes to investigating allegations of sexual assault,” wrote Smyth. “We understand the courage it takes for any survivor of sexual assault to come forward. We recognize and respect the decisions made by justice officials, and sometimes by survivors themselves, not to proceed with criminal proceedings. We continue to support survivors on their healing journey. “
-With files from The Canadian Press
Reference-winnipeg.ctvnews.ca