New charges against Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach affect 7 other plaintiffs

TORONTO – Austrian-Canadian auto parts billionaire Frank Stronach, who was arrested again this week, is accused of sexually abusing seven new female plaintiffs in alleged incidents between 1977 and February, court documents revealed Friday.

The documents provide additional information on eight new charges police recently filed against Stronach, 91, after he was initially arrested in early June on five charges related to three different plaintiffs.

According to the documents, Stronach is accused of attempting to have sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent and of indecently assaulting her between June 1977 and January 1978.

The founder of auto parts giant Magna is also accused of sexually harassing six other female plaintiffs in incidents that allegedly occurred in the 1980s, 1990s, early 2000s and this year.

The charges brought against Stronach so far concern allegations dating from the 1980s to 2023.

“We appeal to any victims or anyone with information to come forward,” Peel Regional Police Officer Tyler Bell-Morena said in an email.

Police released few details about the other charges.

“Mr. Stronach denies these additional, unsubstantiated allegations, which date back to 1977, and will vigorously defend himself against them,” Brian Greenspan, Stronach’s attorney, said in an emailed statement this week.

Austrian-born Stronach became one of Canada’s richest people by founding Magna in his garage in 1957 and building it into one of the world’s largest auto parts suppliers.

He also founded the Stronach Group, a company specializing in horse racing. Over a decade ago, he took a brief foray into Austrian politics and was awarded the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest honors.