Frank Stronach poses for a portrait at the Magna Golf Course, in Aurora, Ont., on Tuesday, July 16, 2019.Christopher Katsarov/The Globe and Mail
Peel police have charged Magna International founder Frank Stronach with five additional counts of sex assault involving three new complainants.
After the new charges, laid last week by Peel Regional Police, Mr. Stronach faces a total of 18 counts involving 13 women. The latest charges – rape, indecent assault on a female and sexual assault – stem from incidents alleged to have occurred between 1981 and 1986 in Toronto; and between 1993 and 1994 in Gormley, Ont., according to court documents.
The allegations have not been proven in court, where Mr. Stronach’s lawyer has said he will contest the charges.
Magna launches internal probe after sexual-assault allegations against founder Frank Stronach
“The courtroom is where he will have the opportunity to unequivocally plead not guilty to all of the charges that are levelled against him,” Leora Shemesh said on Wednesday. She did not respond to questions about the new charges on Thursday.
Mr. Stronach is scheduled to appear in a Brampton, Ont., court on Monday.
Peel police declined to comment.
In June, Peel police charged Mr. Stronach, 92, with a total of 13 sexual-assault crimes allegedly perpetrated against 10 women. The charges include rape, sexual assault and forcible confinement in incidents alleged to have occurred in the Toronto area and York Region between 1977 and 2024.
There is a publication ban on the names of the alleged victims, all but three of whom are identified only by initials.
Mr. Stronach founded Magna in the 1950s and turned it into one of the world’s largest auto parts companies, becoming one of Canada’s richest men. He began selling his controlling stake in Magna in 2010 and departed as chairman in 2012.
The Globe and Mail on Wednesday reported Magna has responded to police inquiries by launching an internal investigation for documents and other legal records related to Mr. Stronach’s time at the company. Magna spokeswoman Tracy Fuerst said the investigation, which involves two law firms, has uncovered one harassment settlement that has already been in the news.
“This review process is complicated with the passage of time (going back 40 to 50 years), but should relevant information be located, we will follow a strict protocol to respect the legal rights of all and co-operate with authorities,” Ms. Fuerst said on Tuesday. She called the allegations “alarming.”