WINNIPEG, Manitoba — A judge on Friday again denied bail to Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard, who was arrested in December on U.S. charges that alleging he sexually abused women and girls he lured with promises of opportunities in fashion and modeling over the last 25 years.
Peter Nygard unsuccessfully attempted to appeal an earlier ruling that denied him bail. That means Nygard will await his extradition hearings in jail. Nygard was arrested in December in Winnipeg and faces nine counts in the Southern District of New York.
Authorities there accuse the 79-year-old of using his influence in the fashion industry to lure women and girls with the promise of modelling and other financial opportunities.
The judge who originally denied Nygard bail had cited concerns that he would contact witnesses if released.
Federal prosecutors argued that Nygard has the finances and personnel available to assist him in obstructing justice.
Nygard’s arrest on sex trafficking, racketeering and related charges came after the FBI raided his Manhattan offices last year.
The raid came soon after 10 women sued Nygard, saying he enticed young and impoverished women to his Bahamas estate with cash and promises of modeling and fashion opportunities. Several plaintiffs in the suit, filed in New York City, said they were 14 or 15 years old when Nygard gave them alcohol or drugs and then raped them.