No evidence of docs related to misconduct allegations against Frank Stronach: court
![Frank Stronach FILE - Magna International Inc. Chairman Frank Stronach speaks at the company's annual general meeting in Markham, Ont. on Wednesday May 4, 2011.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn](/content/dam/cp24/en/images/2024/8/8/frank-stronach-1-6993919-1723153235168.jpeg)
An Ontario court has rejected a bid by Frank Stronach’s granddaughter to compel the family business to disclose any documents that might exist related to complaints of sexual misconduct against him and settlements involving complainants.
Selena Stronach filed a motion on the issue last month as part of an ongoing lawsuit over the management of The Stronach Group's and the family's wealth.
The motion argued media coverage of the sexual assault allegations against her grandfather suggest it is likely the alleged misconduct "occurred in the corporate environment and included the misuse of corporate assets."
The court has dismissed her motion, finding there is “simply no evidence in the record that the requested documents exist.”
In particular, it said, there is no evidence that documents exist regarding any alleged knowledge by Belinda Stronach — Selena's aunt and the company's chairwoman, chief executive and president — or Alon Ossip, another defendant, of the allegations underlying the criminal case against Frank Stronach.
"Nor is there any evidence in the record that (The Stronach Group) or any corporate entity within (The Stronach Group) entered into any settlement agreements, let alone any evidence that such agreements, if they exist, were entered into at the direction of or with the knowledge of either Belinda or Ossip," the document said.
Even if there was evidence of such documents, the court said it is not convinced they would be relevant to the lawsuit, which centres on allegations of breach of fiduciary duty and oppression.
The court also dismissed another motion by Selena Stronach seeking to amend her statement of claim to add allegations related to possible settlements involving allegations of sexual misconduct against Frank Stronach.
In a written statement Wednesday, Belinda Stronach said she appreciated the court's recognition that "the criminal proceedings against my father are entirely unrelated to the now five-year-old civil litigation brought forward by my niece, Selena Stronach."
"I look forward to proceeding with the civil trial as scheduled in the actions of Selena and my brother, Andrew Stronach, and to resolving this difficult chapter."
Frank Stronach, a 91-year-old billionaire businessman, has been charged with sexually assaulting 10 complainants over a period of time starting in 1977 to earlier this year.
The alleged offences include rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, forcible confinement and sexual assault. None of the allegations have been tested in court.
In an interview with the CBC, parts of which were aired this month, Frank Stronach claimed his accusers are pursuing the cases against him to take his money.
Stronach became one of Canada's wealthiest people as the founder of auto parts giant Magna. He resigned as the company's chairman in 2011.
He also founded The Stronach Group, a company that specializes in horse racing, and Stronach International, a company focusing on organic foods and "micro-electric mobility."
His criminal case is due to return before a Brampton, Ont., court in early October, while the civil case launched by his granddaughter has a hearing scheduled early next month.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 21, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7034258.1726084302!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'An unfortunate waste of resources': Ontario woman facing criminal charge following water gun incident
A Simcoe, Ont. woman is facing an assault with a weapon charge after she said that she accidentally sprayed her neighbour with a water gun over the Labour Day weekend, a situation that at least one legal expert says amounts to an ‘unfortunate waste of resources.’
The man who discovered Churchill's picture was stolen was treated like a suspect; now he's being honoured
When the 'Roaring Lion' portrait of Winston Churchill is returned to the Fairmont Château Laurier, a 68-year-old man once considered the prime suspect in the heist will have the honour of replacing it.
Billionaire steps out of SpaceX capsule for first private spacewalk hundreds of miles above Earth
A billionaire kicked off the first private spacewalk Thursday, teaming up with SpaceX on the daring endeavour hundreds of miles above Earth.
Consul general to New York to answer questions over $9M luxury condo purchase
After weeks of pressure, Canada's consul general Tom Clark will testify on Thursday before a House of Commons committee about the purchase of his new official residence in New York that generated a lot of political attention over the summer.
Buckingham Palace guard's distinctive bearskin caps under fire by animal rights group
An animal rights group trying to get real fur out of the bearskin caps worn by King's Guards at Buckingham Palace took aim Thursday at the cost of the ceremonial garb.
Dollarama keeping an eye on competitors as Loblaw launches new ultra-discount chain
Dollarama Inc.'s food aisles may have expanded far beyond sweet treats or piles of gum by the checkout counter in recent years, but its chief executive maintains his company is 'not in the grocery business,' even if it's keeping an eye on the sector.
What passengers need to know about their rights ahead of a potential Air Canada pilots strike
While Air Canada has shared advice for travellers ahead of a possible pilots strike, an airline passenger rights advocate has more tips for Canadians who may be affected.
Ontario woman misses flight to funeral due to airline ticket typo
An Ontario woman admits she was flustered and stressed trying to book an airline ticket when she found out a close relative had died last month.
Jon Bon Jovi helps talk woman down from ledge on Nashville bridge
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jon Bon Jovi and a video production assistant persuaded a woman standing on the ledge of a pedestrian bridge in Nashville to come back over the railing to safety.