Canadian Fashion Executive Indicted for Sex Trafficking and Racketeering

Musician Tanya Tucker (L) and executive Peter Nygard attend the 142nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky on May 7, 2016. (Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)

Canadian fashion executive Peter J. Nygard has been indicted with racketeering, sex trafficking, and related crimes that involved women and minor girls over the course of 25 years, the Southern District of New York announced on Tuesday.

Nygard, 79, Finish Canadian former executive, allegedly committed racketeering, sex trafficking, and related crimes in the past few decades, with at least a dozen victims from the United States, Bahamas, Canada, and other places.

Nygard was arrested on Dec. 14, in Winnipeg, Manitoba province, Canada, at the request of U.S. authorities.

According to the indictment, in the past 25 years, Nygard and his co-conspirators allegedly forced, deceived, and coerced women and minors to have sex with Nygard and others. Nygard has been targeting those women and minor-aged girls who were mostly from disadvantaged economic backgrounds. Nygard controlled these women and young girls with threats, false promises of modeling opportunities, and other career opportunities.

Nygard maintained a relationship with some of his victims, and referred to them as his girlfriends or assistants. He directed them in sexual activities and recruiting new women and young girls.

Nygard hosted events at his properties to recruit new victims and "sexual 'swaps' with male friends or business associates."

Nygard paid his victims with Nygard Group funds, either on the payroll of the group as models, assistants, etc.

Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Dermot Shea, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department announced the indictment.