Police say 21 charges have been filed involving 10 victims, but the investigation is not over.
Montreal police announced Thursday they had arrested Future Electronics founder Robert Miller on charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation.
During a news conference Thursday, police said they had arrested Miller an hour earlier at his home in Westmount. Prosecutors have laid 21 charges involving 10 victims, some of whom were minors at the time, for events alleged to have taken place between 1994 and 2016. Charges include:
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Miller, 80, was released on a promise to appear with conditions until a court date on July 3, 2024.
“This thorough criminal investigation is not over,” Inspector David Shane said, asking any other potential victims to come forward.
In a statement issued Thursday evening, Miller said he “continues to reiterate his innocence” and “the clear motivation behind this whole case, dating back as far as 30 years ago, is easy financial gain at his expense.”
The reclusive Miller resigned as CEO of electronics distributor Future Electronics in February 2023, after Radio-Canada’s Enquête program broadcast a story alleging he had paid to have sex with minors. He insisted at the time the allegations were false and said he would focus on protecting his reputation.
The Radio-Canada story said Montreal police conducted an investigation in 2009 but never filed any charges. It alleged that between 1994 and 2006, Miller met with girls at hotels in downtown Montreal and later at two residences in Westmount, and that employees with Future Electronics helped arrange the meetings. It said he gave them gifts and cash in exchange for sex.
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Police said new information came to light after the Enquête report that gave it enough evidence to file charges.
Miller sold Future Electronics to Taiwan-based WT Microelectronics in September for $3.8 billion.
A class action lawsuit against Miller has also been sought by alleged victims. But they worry he might not survive long enough to face a civil trial.
“Mr. Miller deplores the fact that the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions chose to initiate proceedings against him, notwithstanding its knowledge that his state of health prevents him from defending himself,” Miller’s statement read. “Mr. Miller is suffering from very advanced degenerative Parkinson’s disease. He is in an extremely frail condition. He is bedridden and under 24/7 care. Despite this, Mr. Miller will vigorously protect his reputation, fight for the truth and refute these false allegations with equal determination.”
The names of the complainants, including one who was under the age of 14 at the time of the alleged offences, are covered by a publication ban, as is standard in cases of sexual assault.
The charges filed against Miller say between 1994 and 1998, he is alleged to have touched a minor while being “in a position of trust or authority” over the girl or while she was in a relationship of dependency. He is also accused of obtaining sexual services from the minor.
Another charge alleges Miller “did procure or attempt to procure several persons to become a prostitute” between 1994 and 2005.
The most recent charges cover a timeframe between Feb. 1 and Nov. 29, 2016, during which he is alleged to have sexually assaulted and obtained sexual services from a young female.
Between Nov. 1, 1999 and Oct. 1, 2001, Miller is alleged to have touched the body of a girl who was under the age of 14.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
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