Sexual assault trial of Frank Stronach adjourned for three months

A lawyer defending former auto parts magnate Frank Stronach on multiple sex-assault charges appeared in court on Monday, and was granted a three-month adjournment for the trial.

Mr. Stronach, who did not appear in person or on video on Monday, was charged in June with 13 sex crimes against 10 alleged victims. The charges include rape, sexual assault and forcible confinement for incidents alleged to have occurred in the Toronto area between 1977 and 2024.

Judge Karen Murphy of Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, Ont., scheduled Oct. 7 as the next court date and imposed a publication ban on the names of the complainants.

Defence lawyer Christopher Lutes, who addressed the judge on a video link, sought the adjournment because he said Mr. Stronach’s team is awaiting full disclosure of the Crown’s case.

Crown Attorney Alexandra Berg, in the five-minute proceeding, told the court the prosecution’s evidence includes video statements and surveillance tape.

In a statement last Friday, Mr. Stronach’s lawyer Brian Greenspan said, “We ask that the public respect the fundamental precept that Mr. Stronach remains innocent of any wrongdoing and that he will respond to these allegations in a fair and public court of law.”

Mr. Stronach has had to surrender his passport and is forbidden to have any contact with the alleged victims, or go anywhere he might encounter them.

Born in Austria, Mr. Stronach founded car parts maker Magna International in Toronto in 1957. The company became one of the world’s largest auto parts makers, and today employs 179,000 people in 28 countries.

Mr. Stronach stepped down as chairman of Magna in 2011 and retired as a director in 2012. He also had a consulting agreement with the company that expired in 2014. Mr. Stronach is no longer affiliated with Magna, said Tracy Fuerst, a company spokeswoman.

“The initial and growing criminal charges against Mr. Stronach by the Peel Regional Police are alarming and deeply disturbing because the alleged actions completely contradict Magna’s core values and beliefs,” Ms. Fuerst said. “We hold all, no matter their status inside or outside the company, to the highest standards and are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and protected.”

Mr. Stronach was arrested and charged on June 7 with five criminal counts against three alleged victims. The allegations include rape and forcible confinement, and they stem from incidents alleged to have occurred in 1980, 1986 and 2023.

On June 28, Mr. Stronach was charged with another eight alleged offences between 1977 and 2024, including sexual assault and attempted rape, in complaints made by seven women.

The charges have not been proven in court.