A second lawyer has requested to withdraw from representing disgraced fashion tycoon Peter Nygard at his upcoming Toronto sentencing hearing for sexual assault convictions, citing “ethical reasons.” Nygard was convicted of four counts of sexual assault in November 2023. In January, his trial counsel, Brian Greenspan, was removed from the case at his request.
Greenspan indicated there had been a fundamental breakdown in his relationship with Nygard, which had devolved into an “adversarial relationship.” Defence lawyer Megan Savard stepped in, and on Wednesday was expected to request the court permit Nygard to attend the June 25 and 27 sentencing hearing not in person but via Zoom. Nygard is in poor health and is currently residing in the infirmary at the Toronto South Detention Centre.
However, rather than argue that motion, Savard told Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein that she needed to withdraw from the case for unspecified ethical reasons. Lawyers rarely indicate why they want to be removed from a case as that could potentially violate solicitor-client privilege. Goldstein told Savard the request comes “at a challenging moment.
” “There is significant public interest in bringing this matter to a close and having the sentencing,” Goldstein said during a brief hearing. He declined to let Savard withdraw immediately. Crown attorney Neville Golwalla added that delaying the hearing “isn’t without consequences” as there are complainants who are waiting.