The commencement of billionaire Frank Stronach’s initial sexual assault trial has been postponed once again, as his legal representative argued in a Toronto courtroom that some of the accusers may have been influenced during pre-trial discussions with the prosecution. Justice Anne Molloy granted a defense request to examine a police officer’s notes from these discussions before officially starting the trial on February 12.
Originally scheduled to begin on Tuesday at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the trial was delayed for two days to allow Stronach’s legal team to review new disclosures received last minute. The defense lawyer, Leora Shemesh, highlighted that between 2024 and 2026, no new information had been revealed by the complainants, but from January 13 to 28, new statements emerged, including references to previously undisclosed evidence.
Shemesh expressed frustration at the last-minute nature of these statements, suggesting that there could have been coaching involved in the process. The judge permitted Shemesh to question Peel regional police officer Gabe Di Nardo about his notes from the preparatory meetings, emphasizing that this did not imply any misconduct by the Crown.
During the court proceedings, discussions revolved around potential discrepancies in the complainants’ statements and the handling of new information by the Crown. Shemesh indicated that she intends to seek a stay of proceedings at the trial’s conclusion due to concerns about potential witness coaching.
Frank Stronach, a prominent businessman and philanthropist, faces multiple sexual assault charges dating back several decades. He has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial in Toronto involves seven complainants spanning from 1977 to 1990, with another trial expected later this year in Newmarket involving six additional complainants.
