Prosecutors Decline to Appeal Peter Nygard’s Assault Charges Stay

UPDATE: Prosecutors have confirmed they will not appeal a Manitoba judge’s recent decision to stay sexual assault charges against disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard. This crucial announcement comes just days before the appeal deadline, marking a significant development in a high-profile case that has captivated public attention.

On October 8, 2023, Manitoba provincial court Justice Mary Kate Harvie ruled to stay charges of sexual assault and unlawful confinement against Nygard, stating that his Charter right to a fair trial had been “substantially prejudiced.” This ruling was primarily due to failures by the North Vancouver RCMP to provide vital documentation regarding interviews with the complainant, April Telek, who alleges that Nygard assaulted her in Winnipeg in November 1993.

Telek’s identity was previously protected under a publication ban, which was lifted at her request following the judge’s decision. The implications of this ruling are profound, as it raises questions about the handling of evidence and the integrity of the judicial process.

The Saskatchewan Public Prosecutions, which was assigned to review the case, had until Friday to file an appeal. However, a spokesperson for the province’s Justice Ministry stated in an email that prosecutors determined an appeal “would not be appropriate in this case.”

“The Criminal Code only permits Crown appeals from legal errors,” said spokesperson Noel Busse. “While the Crown argued for a different result, it did not find any legal errors upon which to base an appeal, and respects the decision made by the judge.”

Nygard, who founded his fashion company in Winnipeg, is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence after being convicted in Ontario in 2023 on four counts of sexual assault for offenses committed between the 1980s and mid-2000s. He is appealing that conviction and sentence while also facing separate charges in Montreal related to incidents from November 1997 to November 1998.

This case initially gained national and international attention when Nygard was arrested in Winnipeg in December 2020 under the Extradition Act, facing nine counts in New York, including sex trafficking and racketeering. Last November, the Supreme Court of Canada declined to review his extradition order to the U.S., further complicating his legal battles.

With the decision not to appeal, the future of the sexual assault charges against Nygard remains uncertain, sparking discussions about the broader implications for survivors of sexual violence and the justice system.

As this story continues to develop, observers are left to ponder the impact of the judicial decisions on both Nygard’s victims and the legal precedents being set in such high-stakes cases. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding situation.