Judge denies Stronach granddaughter's request for records
Auto parts tycoon faces 13 charges, including rape and forcible confinement
A judge has denied a request to compel the Stronach Group of companies' CEO Belinda Stronach and others to disclose documents related to any sexual misconduct complaints levelled at founder Frank Stronach.
The motion had been brought by Stronach's granddaughter Selena, whose lawyers alleged "it is likely that records exist which reveal a pattern of misconduct by Mr. Stronach that includes corporate knowledge and, potentially, facilitation and cover-up."
Police in Peel Region, west of Toronto, laid 13 charges against Frank Stronach in June, including rape and forcible confinement. The allegations involve 10 alleged victims who accuse the 91-year-old billionaire of sex crimes over several decades.
In a written decision issued on Wednesday, Superior Court Justice Peter Osborne dismissed Selena Stronach's requests for the documents and for her lawyers to be able to cross-examine the defendants.
The motion was part of a broader, long-running civil suit brought by Selena and her father, Andrew, who claim his sister Belinda and others have mismanaged the family fortune. The case is scheduled to go to trial next month.
Court dismisses motion, citing no evidence of documents
Justice Osborne noted he could not grant a motion like Selena's if it amounted to a "fishing expedition" to identify any additional information to prove the complainants' allegations.
The defendants named in the motion also included Belinda's adult children, Nicole Walker and Frank Walker, and former Stronach Group CEO Alon Ossip.
"I appreciate the court's thoughtful consideration of the matter and 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," said a representative for Belinda Stronach in a statement sent to CBC News on Wednesday.
"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."
In court, Ossip's lawyer, Mark Gelowitz, had dismissed Selena's claims as a "cascade of conjecture.
"This is a tactical attempt by Selena to introduce these allegations against Belinda and Alon in order to embarrass them in a case that has attracted the attention of the media," Gelowitz told the court earlier this month.
Selena Stronach's lawyers had asked the defendants to hand over documents such as payment records, human resources complaints or non-disclosure agreements stemming from sexual misconduct complaints involving Frank Stronach.
The motion argued media coverage of the sexual assault allegations against her grandfather suggests it is likely the alleged misconduct "occurred in the corporate environment and included the misuse of corporate assets."
The court dismissed Selena's motion, finding there is "simply no evidence in the record that the requested documents exist."
Stronach has denied any wrongdoing
In an interview with CBC's The Fifth Estate earlier this month, Frank Stronach denied wrongdoing. He said he would prove the criminal allegations amounted to "lies" and suggested the complainants were motivated by money.
Separately, the auto parts tycoon declined to comment on the latest civil case involving his children and grandchildren.
"There will be a time when there's more to say," he added.
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.
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With files from The Canadian Press