The trial for Frank Stronach’s first sexual assault case in Toronto, initially set to start on Tuesday, has been postponed. Stronach’s attorney, Leora Shemesh, informed the Ontario Court of Justice that the defense is receiving a significant volume of new disclosure materials, necessitating more time for review. Despite the delay, Shemesh expressed the defense’s eagerness to commence the trial. Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy granted the request for an adjournment until Thursday, with uncertainty about the trial’s actual start date.
The 93-year-old magnate faces accusations of sexual misconduct against multiple women, with some allegations dating back nearly five decades. Stronach, the founder of Magna International, is charged with 12 offenses, including sexual assault and forcible confinement. Two of the charges, rape and attempted rape, are considered historical offenses due to amendments in the Criminal Code in 1983. The allegations from seven complainants span from 1977 to 1990 in Toronto, with one incident specified in suburban Scarborough.
In Canada, there is no statute of limitations for indictable offenses like sexual assault, murder, and kidnapping, allowing trials to occur years or even decades later. Stronach, who has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty, will face a judge-alone trial following his arrest in June 2024 on five initial sexual-related charges, which have now increased to 18 involving 13 complainants across Ontario.
Apart from his legal battles, Stronach is also embroiled in a civil lawsuit filed by Jane Boon seeking over $4 million in damages for an alleged sexual assault in 1986. Boon, not involved in the criminal trials, claimed Stronach assaulted her while she was an intern at his company. None of the accusations in the civil or criminal cases have been proven in court.
The Stronach trial has garnered significant attention, with the proceedings split into two separate trials in Toronto and Newmarket. Stronach, a recipient of the Order of Canada, relinquished his role as Magna’s chair in 2011 and has no current involvement in the company’s operations. The trial by judge alone, chosen after initially opting for a jury trial, will see Justice Molloy presiding over the case without a jury to determine Stronach’s fate.
