Court hears arguments in civil suit filed by Frank Stronach's granddaughter
An Ontario Superior Court heard arguments on Thursday in a lawsuit filed by Frank Stronach's granddaughter, who is seeking an order compelling the family business to disclose any documents that might exist related to complaints of sexual misconduct against him and settlements involving complainants.
Stronach, a 91-year-old billionaire businessman, has been charged with sexually assaulting 10 complainants.
The alleged offences include rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, forcible confinement and sexual assault, and relate to alleged incidents dating as far back as 1977 and as recently as this year. None of the allegations have been tested in court.
In a civil suit, Selena Stronach claims that media coverage of the allegations against her grandfather suggest misconduct occurred in a corporate setting and that corporate funds may have been misused and put towards payments for women who may have been abused.
Selena Stronach claims in legal documents that because she has "beneficial interests" in family trusts, she would have suffered from any misuse of corporate funds.
The defendants in the civil case include Frank Stronach's daughter, Belinda Stronach, CEO and president of The Stronach Group, as well as Alon Ossip, a former company CEO.
Belinda Stronach's two children, Nicole and Frank Walker, are also defendants.
Mark Gelowitz, a lawyer for the defendants, argued in court on Thursday that Selena Stronach is on a "fishing expedition," insisting she has no evidence settlement documents exist.
Gelowitz further argued that Selena Stronach was merely trying to embarrass his clients.
Selena Stronach's lawyer, Matthew Gottlieb, argued that allegations of corporate misconduct and misuse of company funds are "only embarrassing if they're true."
Gottlieb further noted that The Stronach group has not categorically denied the existence of documents related to settlements. That suggests such payments were made, he argued.
In an interview with the CBC, parts of which were aired this week, Frank Stronach claimed his accusers are pursuing the cases against him to take his money.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 8, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I'm ready for an election': Bloc beginning talks to topple Trudeau gov't as ultimatum expires
Bloc Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet is starting to talk to other opposition parties about bringing down Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government.
An expert stands firm on his U.S. election win prediction. Here's what he says happened after
An American presidential historian is maintaining his previous prediction of a Kamala Harris presidency as the U.S. election hits the one-week mark.
Ontario to provide taxpayers with $200 rebate
The Ontario government will give each taxpayer a $200 rebate. Premier Doug Ford made the announcement Tuesday and said the rebate will also extend to families with children, with an additional $200 per eligible child.
Trudeau's national security adviser shared India interference allegations with counterpart
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's national security adviser says she shared the explosive allegations about Indian officials taking part in criminal activity in Canada with her counterpart in New Delhi before the RCMP went public with the news this month.
'Elaborate encampment' with solar panels and mini-power grid dismantled by Edmonton police
Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has dismantled one of the ‘most elaborate encampments’ officers have ever seen.
CNN bans conservative commentator who made a racist 'joke' on air
CNN says a right-wing commentator will not be welcomed back on air after he made a racist remark on “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip.”
Mounties seize tens of thousands of illicit cannabis edibles packaged like candy in B.C.
Federal investigators have arrested six people and seized tens of thousands of illicit cannabis edibles disguised as popular brand-name candies after raiding a pair of unlicensed dispensaries in British Columbia.
12-year-old girl among teenage suspects charged in 'suspicious' Ontario house fire
Four teenagers, including a 12-year-old girl, are facing charges after police say they set an Oshawa, Ont. home on fire while the residents were inside.
StatCan latest wealth survey shows stark disparity between homeowners, renters
Statistics Canada's latest financial security survey shows a stark disparity between the wealth of homeowners and renters, even as it fails to capture the true scale what's owned by Canada's richest families.