Today marks the commencement of the Toronto sexual assault trial of Frank Stronach, a prominent Canadian industry figure known for his role in founding the car parts giant Magna International. The trial, which is set to unfold before a judge without a jury, involves a total of 12 charges related to alleged incidents dating back to the 1970s and implicating seven individuals as complainants.
Having previously expressed a preference for a trial by jury, the 93-year-old billionaire has opted for a judge-alone trial with the consent of the prosecution, vehemently refuting all accusations leveled against him.
In a separate legal development, Stronach is also scheduled to face trial in Newmarket, Ont., later this year, with Peel regional police having initially brought forth 18 charges involving 13 complainants in 2024, subsequently leading to the division of the case into two parts.
Due to a publication ban, the identities of the complainants remain protected.