Peter Nygaard faced nine charges in the United States involving dozens of victims.
Montreal:
Fashion executive Peter Nygaard agreed Friday in a Canadian court to be extradited to the United States, where he is facing charges of raping, racketeering and trafficking dozens of women and girls.
Jailed since his arrest in Winnipeg, Manitoba, last December, the 80-year-old Finnish-Canadian millionaire made a brief court appearance via video link.
Scott Farlinger, an attorney representing the Canadian government in the case, explained that Nygaard, who was denied bail on the grounds that he might tamper with witnesses or his accusers, did not choose to fight extradition. .
“The process can now proceed to face trial in the United States,” defense attorney Brian Greenspan confirmed.
He said it would provide Nygard an opportunity to “enhance his defense and challenge the veracity of the evidence brought against him.”
The Attorney General of Canada will still have to approve the extradition.
Nygaard faces nine charges in the United States involving dozens of victims.
His alleged crimes, according to the US indictment, took place between 1990 and 2020. His alleged associates, including Nygaard and his group’s employees, “forced, defrauded, and coerced into sex with women and minors” with him, it said.
The perma-tanned Nygaard, known for her long, flowing brown hair and stunning outfit, has denied the allegations.
Also on Friday, Toronto police announced that an arrest warrant had been issued for Nygard for six alleged sexual assaults between 1987 and 2006, some of which involved forced confinement.
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