Canadian business magnate Frank Stronach, known for founding the global auto parts company Magna International, is gearing up for the start of his first sexual assault trial in Toronto this week. At the age of 90, Stronach faces a series of allegations, with another trial scheduled in a separate location later this year.
Stronach has vehemently denied all accusations, some of which trace back several decades. Here’s a breakdown of key events in the case:
In 1957, Stronach kick-started his business journey in a Toronto garage, eventually transforming it into Magna International, now headquartered in Aurora, Ontario. Fast forward to 2011, Stronach steps down as Magna’s chairman and ventures into the world of horse racing and entertainment with his daughter Belinda, leading to a family dispute over the company’s assets. Subsequently, in 2012, Stronach resigns from the company’s board to focus on political endeavors in Austria.
The legal saga intensifies in June 2024 when Stronach faces initial charges of sexual assault and related offenses involving multiple complainants. Over the following months, additional charges emerge, leading to a total of 13 accusers spanning decades. Stronach maintains his innocence, even addressing the allegations publicly on CBC’s Fifth Estate.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Stronach undergoes changes in legal representation and faces a targeted review of Magna International’s historical records due to the allegations. The case is eventually split into two trials, with a mix of jury and judge-alone proceedings.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, Stronach remains resolute in his plea of not guilty as his Toronto trial approaches, set to commence in February 2026 before a judge alone.