No charges for Peter Nygard in Winnipeg cases involving 8 women: police | The Canadian News

Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard will face no charges in Winnipeg and a months-long police investigation into allegations of sexual assault by eight women in the city.

The Winnipeg Police Service referred eight files to the Crown prosecutor’s office for review in December 2020 and now, a year later, police say the charges will not advance.

Winnipeg police said specialized investigators worked on 15 separate files.

“Some of the victims did not want to be involved in criminal proceedings,” Chief Danny Smyth said in a statement.

READ MORE: Fashion mogul Peter Nygard has pending case until December 10

Smyth said 29 witnesses, including survivors, were interviewed and approximately 1,600 documents were collected during the 10-month investigation.

He added that 17 agencies and therapy professionals were also contacted.

At the end of the investigation, eight cases were submitted to the Manitoba courts for consideration.

However, the crown attorneys will not press charges.

“After the review, they refused to authorize criminal charges against Mr. Nygard,” Smyth said.

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No reasons have been given why the charges will not advance.

“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 the survivors themselves, not to proceed with a criminal process, “he said.

READ MORE: Fashion mogul Peter Nygard escorted on flight to Toronto to face sexual assault charges

Nygard is currently in custody in Toronto, where he was airlifted from Winnipeg in October to face charges there.

Earlier that month, Toronto police issued an arrest warrant for Nygard amid allegations of sexual assault and forced confinement. The alleged events occurred between 1987 and 2006.

Police said at the time that the 80-year-old man will be charged with six counts of sexual assault and three counts of forcible confinement upon arrest.

The Toronto Police Service announced the order the same day Nygard appeared in Winnipeg court and agreed to be extradited to the United States to face sex trafficking charges there.

Outside of court that day, his attorney Brian Greenspan said, “Mr. Nygard denies any allegations of criminal conduct. “

None have been proven in court as of yet.