Austrian-Canadian auto parts billionaire Frank Stronach has been arrested on charges of sexual abuse spanning decades, police said.
A 91-year-old man was charged Friday with five offenses including rape, indecent assault of a female, sexual assault and forcible confinement, Peel Regional Police said. He was released with conditions and will appear in Ontario Court at a later date in Brampton, Ont., police said in a statement.
Peel Regional Police Constable Tyler Bell said there is more than one accuser, but declined to say how many.
“Obviously this is a high-profile case. Our Special Victims Unit has a responsibility to protect victims, and in doing so we are unclear,” Bell said. “There is more than one victim, but we have not confirmed that number yet.”
Police say the sexual assaults occurred from the 1980s to 2023. Bell said they encourage people to come forward if they have information or have been victims.
Stronach did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
He hired renowned Canadian lawyer Brian Greenspan.
“Mr. Stronach categorically denies the allegations of misconduct made against him,” Greenspan said in an email. “He looks forward to the opportunity to fully address the allegations and preserve his legacy as both a philanthropist and an icon of the Canadian business community.”
Stronach, who was born in Austria, became one of Canada’s richest men by starting Magna in his garage in 1957 and growing it into one of the world’s largest auto parts suppliers.
He also founded The Stronach Group, a horse racing company. More than a decade ago, he made a brief foray into Austrian politics and was awarded the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest honors.
A Magna spokesman said Stronach has had no involvement with the company since relinquishing control in 2010.
“We recently became aware of allegations made against Frank Stronach,” Dave Niemek said in an email Friday evening. “Magna knows nothing about the investigation or the allegations made beyond what has been reported in the media.”
Niemiec said the company would not comment further on the ongoing legal matter.
In 2018, Stronach filed a lawsuit in Ontario Superior Court against his daughter, two grandchildren and former business partner Alon Ossip for more than $500 million, alleging they mismanaged family assets over which he wanted to regain control.
Belinda Stronach, a former member of the Canadian Parliament, countersued her father, saying in a defense statement that he lost huge sums of money on his pet projects.
The case was later settled.