Peter Nygard, the former CEO of a Canadian-based fashion line, was arrested and charged with extortion, sex trafficking and other crimes after authorities in Manitoba acted on a U.S. extradition request, federal prosecutors in New York said. on Tuesday.

Nygard, 79, is accused of using the influence of her now defunct company, Nygard International, employees and funds to “recruit and maintain adult and underage victims” over a period of at least 25 years for the “sexual gratification” of a himself and “his friends and business associates”, according to the prosecution.

Nygard reportedly targeted women and minors from “disadvantaged economic backgrounds”, including those with a history of abuse. Nygard and his associates are accused of forcibly assaulting these victims, as well as drugging them.

In addition, the prosecution claims that Nygard maintained relationships with a number of his victims, whom he called “girlfriends”. They would be forced to travel and engage in sexual activities with him, and would have been controlled by “force, fraud and coercion”. Some of those “girlfriends” were on Nygard International’s payroll as models or assistants, the prosecution says.

Nygard International filed for bankruptcy in March, a month after its New York offices, located in Times Square, were invaded by the FBI and NYPD as part of the investigation that led to the arrest and indictment this week.

Nygard allegedly hunted women at events called “pamper party” (free translation: “pamper parties”), held at her properties in Marina del Rey, California, and the Bahamas. Some women, including minors, were drugged at these events to enforce them, prosecutors say. He also attracted victims with the promise of careers in the fashion industry, according to the prosecution.

Jay Prober, Nygard’s lawyer, told The New York Times that he denied the charges against his client. The bail hearing is scheduled for January 13, but Prober is looking for a hearing as early as next week, the Times reported.