York police sought outside help in Stronach sex assault probe: source

Peel Regional Police began investigating Ontario business magnate Frank Stronach after York Regional Police approached their neighbouring agency for assistance, a source with knowledge of the case told CBC News.

CBC is not naming the source, as they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Investigators have declined to say when police first learned of sexual assault allegations surrounding the 91-year-old billionaire, and why Stronach's local police service north of Toronto sought help from another agency.

Court documents suggest the alleged assaults all occurred in either York Region or Toronto, between 1977 and this past February.

Peel police laid 13 criminal charges against Stronach in June, including rape and forcible confinement.

In all, 10 complainants accuse Stronach of sexual assault, according to court documents. While some of their names are listed in public records, a court-ordered publication ban covers the alleged victims' identities.

York Regional Police Const. Lisa Moskaluk directed a reporter's questions about the agency's involvement in the case to Peel police, "as they are the service that has taken carriage of the investigation."

Peel police declined to comment when asked when they were approached by York investigators, and why.

"Police chiefs have considerable flexibility and it is not unusual for them to call in another police service to take over an investigation," said Alok Mukherjee, a former chair of the Toronto Police Service Board, in an email. 

Speaking generally, he said "the usual reason has to do with any potential or real conflict of interest or public concern with the local police conducting a particular investigation."

Reached by phone, Stronach denied the allegations against him.

"I haven't done anything wrong," he told CBC. "I haven't done anything inappropriate."

Stronach name prominent in York Region

Listed in court documents as a resident of Aurora, Stronach built a business empire long associated with the affluent town in York Region.

Magna International, the auto parts manufacturer Stronach launched in 1957, is headquartered on an Aurora street that bears the company's name and is adjacent to Stronach Blvd.

The Stronach Group, which specializes in thoroughbred horse racing and betting, also lists Aurora as its Canadian hub. 

Public records show both companies each made a $25,000 donation to York police in 2020 for the "chief's retirement dinner."

WATCH | Frank Stronach gives no comment on sexual assault allegations:

Frank Stronach gives no comment when asked about sexual assault charges

5 months ago

Duration 1:56

Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach refused to comment to CBC News about his 13 criminal charges, including sexual assault, when questioned outside his restaurant in Aurora, Ont. Stronach is accused of sexually assaulting 10 victims from as early as 1977 to as recently as this past February.

Frank Stronach is no longer directly involved in either multinational he founded. His daughter Belinda Stronach serves as chairwoman, CEO and president of The Stronach Group.

Belinda Stronach also served as MP for Newmarket–Aurora from 2004 to 2008.

"This is a family and a [man] who has had an outsized impact on Canadian economic and political history over the last 40 years," said Dimitry Anastakis, a University of Toronto business historian.

An Aurora municipal recreation complex bears the Stronach name. A hospital in neighbouring Newmarket houses the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, established after the Austrian-born businessman donated $8 million to the project.

The Town of Newmarket also operates a public park named after Frank Stronach.

When the close ties between Magna and York Region's then-police chief Bryan Cousineau came to light in the 1990s, it proved to be a career-ending embarrassment. Cousineau resigned and pleaded guilty to breach of trust in 1998 in connection with a $125,000 interest-free loan from Magna.

According to media reports at the time, Magna had promised Cousineau a job as a security consultant once he retired from York police. 

'I haven't done anything wrong'

Stronach was arrested by Peel police's special victims unit last month. He was ordered to hand over his passport and to not have contact with any of the alleged victims.

Stronach is a member of the Order of Canada. In 2018, Forbes magazine estimated his net worth to be $1.5 billion US.

When asked by CBC if he recognized the complainants' names listed in court documents, Stronach said, "I don't really know." He also said he couldn't say for certain whether police have signalled more charges could be coming.

"The lawyers handle that," he said. "I haven't done anything wrong and it will come out that way."

Stronach's lawyer, Brian Greenspan, previously asked "that the public respect the fundamental precept that Mr. Stronach remains innocent of any wrongdoing ... he will respond to these allegations in a fair and public court of law."

Stronach's case is set to return to the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on Oct. 7.