Alleged Career Rapist Peter Nygard Makes 'Desperate Plea' For Release, Says Prison Food Is Threatening His Life

Fashion designer and alleged career rapist Peter Nygard argued at a Wednesday hearing that he should be released on bail in part because prison food is getting in the way of his strict no-sugar diet.

In what he called a “desperate plea to save my own life,” the 79-year-old  Finnish-Canadian argued in his release application that his good health depends on a diet free of white sugar and white carbs and that without such a diet, he is at severe risk of dying if he contracts the coronavirus, according to documents acquired by Oxygen.com.

Nygard’s application included a detailed and illustrated description of the “Reverse Aging Paradigm” he began in 2009. A photo that was taken before he began this so-called “paradigm” showed Nygard with a potbelly, while more recent photos show him playing volleyball, lifting weights and flexing his toned muscles.

But the sugary foods in Nygard’s prison diet have made his regimen impossible, he says. He claimed that his food now is “about 70% sugar and 90% sugar and white carbs,” including an “all sugar breakfast” on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, according to the documents.

In a section titled “Sugar Allergy,” Nygard claimed that he became violently sick after eating one of these meals, with symptoms he said are similar to when he had an allergic reaction to penicillin.

“The low level of nourishment — with no vitamins — no fruit/vegetables — no sleep is draining my body and its ability to fight off the COVID,” Nygard wrote.

Citing these concerns, Nygard’s lawyers argued for his immediate release at the Wednesday hearing, according to the New York Post. However, the hearing was adjourned until Jan. 19.

Nygard was arrested in Winnipeg, Canada on Dec. 14 following an avalanche of sex crime charges involving “at least dozens” of women and underage girls over multiple decades, according to a press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

He’s been accused of grooming, drugging and raping numerous victims at so-called “pamper parties” held at his estates. Offering lucrative modeling opportunities, Nygard allegedly forced countless women into sexual servitude enforced by threats, intimidation and constant surveillance, according to a class-action complaint filed by 10 alleged victims in February 2020.

Nygard’s sons have also accused him of paying a sex worker to rape both of them, 14 years apart, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Nygard has vehemently denied all claims against him.

“The complaint is yet another effort filled with falsehoods in a manufactured campaign and calculated conspiracy designed to destroy Peter Nygard,” a spokesperson told the Post when asked about his sons’ allegations.

Nygard’s once-towering image in the fashion world has crumbled in the face of these accusations. He founded Nygård International in 1967 and was previously the chairman of the Nygard International Partnership until he was forced to step down in February amid the accusations against him. The company filed for bankruptcy in March, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Nygard remains in custody at the Winnipeg Remand Centre.