Frank Stronach faces sentencing hearing on indecent assault conviction

A sentencing hearing is set to take place today for Canadian auto parts tycoon Frank Stronach, 94, on historical indecent assault charges. The hearing occurs as prosecutors challenge the judge’s decision to declare a mistrial in his sexual assault conviction. Stronach was initially convicted in June of two counts, stemming from allegations made by two women in a Toronto criminal trial.

The mistrial was granted after emails from the complainant’s lawyer in a separate civil case were admitted during the trial, raising concerns about inconsistencies. Stronach’s legal team argued these emails painted a picture at odds with the woman’s testimony. The Crown has appealed, seeking to restore the guilty verdict on the sexual assault charge and return the case to Superior Court for re-sentencing.

Initially, Stronach faced 12 charges from seven complainants, dating back to the late 1970s. The Crown dropped one charge and agreed Stronach should be found not guilty on four. However, Judge Anne Molloy ruled against convicting him on two counts involving one complainant, deeming their evidence unreliable. Five charges against three complainants remain.

Stronach is scheduled to face a jury in Newmarket, Ontario, next year for a separate sexual assault case involving six complainants.