Frank Stronach Convicted of Sexual Assault

Frank Stronach, at the age of 93, has been found guilty of sexual assault and indecent assault in two cases. These incidents date back several decades. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice delivered the verdict. Justice Anne Molloy presided over the case in Toronto. Three other charges against Mr. Stronach were dismissed. These involved accusations from two other women.

Mr. Stronach, founder of the global auto parts company Magna International, once ranked among Canada’s wealthiest individuals. He was cleared of three additional assault charges. These charges were related to seven different complainants. They spanned from the 1970s through the 1990s.

Magna expanded significantly in the 1980s. The company moved beyond manufacturing parts to assembling entire vehicles for major automakers like Mercedes-Benz. Mr. Stronach led the company through several expansion efforts. He also attempted to acquire Chrysler and Opel, the European division of General Motors.

Mr. Stronach often made comments he publicly acknowledged as inappropriate. During a 2007 company meeting, he made an offhand remark comparing his attractiveness to women to that of his aide, Manfred Gingl. The charges presented to Justice Molloy involved women Mr. Stronach encountered through his businesses.