Canadian auto parts billionaire Frank Stronach, 91, arrested for sexual assault

Austrian-Canadian auto parts billionaire Frank Stronach has been arrested on sexual assault charges spanning decades, police said.

The 91-year-old man was charged Friday with five crimes, including rape, indecent assault of a woman, sexual assault and false imprisonment, Peel Regional Police said. He was released on conditions and will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, Ont., at a later date, the police statement said.

Peel Regional Police Constable Tyler Bell said there was more than one accuser, but declined to say how many.

“This is obviously a high-profile case. Our Special Victims Unit is required to protect victims and in doing so, that is why we remain vague,” Bell said. “There is more than one victim but we will not confirm this number yet.”

Police allege the sexual assaults occurred between the 1980s and up to 2023. Bell said they are asking people to come forward if they have any information or have been victims.

Stronach did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

He hired prominent Canadian defense lawyer Brian Greenspan.

“Mr. Stronach categorically denies the allegations of impropriety that have been made against him,” Greenspan said in an email. “He looks forward to the opportunity to fully address the accusations and uphold his legacy both as philanthropist and Canadian business icon.

Stronach, born in Austria, became one of Canada's richest people by starting Magna in his garage in 1957 and growing it into one of the world's largest suppliers of auto parts.

He also founded The Stronach Group, a horse racing company. He made a brief foray into Austrian politics more than a decade ago and was named to the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest honors.

According to a Magna spokesperson, Stronach has had no affiliation with the company since relinquishing control in 2010.

“We have recently been informed of the charges against Frank Stronach,” Dave Niemiec said in an email Friday evening. “Magna has no knowledge of the investigation or the allegations that have been raised beyond what has been reported in the media.”

Niemiec said the company would not comment further on the ongoing legal matter.

In 2018, Stronach sued his daughter, two grandchildren and former business partner Alon Ossip for more than $500 million in Ontario Superior Court, alleging they mismanaged family assets he wanted regain control.

Belinda Stronach, a former Canadian MP, countersued her father, claiming in a defense statement that he lost huge sums of money on pet projects.

The matter was subsequently settled.