Sentencing hearing today for billionaire businessman Frank Stronach

Canadian auto parts magnate Frank Stronach, 94, is set to attend a sentencing hearing today for historical indecent assault charges. The proceedings are unfolding amidst a contentious legal battle over a post-verdict mistrial declaration. The judge, Anne Molloy, originally found Stronach guilty of both charges in June, stemming from separate allegations made by two women during his Toronto criminal trial.

However, the Superior Court subsequently granted a mistrial on the sexual assault conviction after emails from the complainant's lawyer, presented in a concurrent civil case, were deemed inconsistent with the complainant's testimony. Stronach's legal team contended that these emails contradicted the complainant's version of events.

Initially facing 12 charges from seven accusers spanning into the late 1970s, the Crown subsequently withdrew one charge and agreed to Stronach's not guilty verdict on four additional counts. Judge Molloy later ruled out convictions on two charges involving one complainant, deeming their testimony unreliable. Five charges against three complainants persisted, ultimately leading to Stronach's guilty verdict on two counts.

He is scheduled to face a jury in Newmarket, Ontario, for a sexual assault case involving six complainants in the coming year.