Sourced from 3 independent sources · no points in disputeHow we sourced thisInsauga, Ottawa Sun, and UL Law
Most key facts are confirmed by more than one independent source; a few details come from a single outlet.
8 key facts · 7 corroborated · none disputed
Allegations described here are not proven in court unless stated.
Frank Stronach’s criminal case narrowed sharply after a judge granted the Canadian billionaire businessman a mistrial on a sexual assault conviction, an unusual post-conviction ruling tied to communications from the complainant’s civil lawyer.
The mistrial followed communications that Stronach’s defence said contradicted the complainant’s testimony at the criminal trial. Those civil communications involved a substantial damages demand from the complainant’s lawyer.
A rare post-verdict turn
The ruling is notable because it came after a conviction had already been entered. Stronach’s lawyer, Leora Shemesh, described the decision as “incredibly rare,” according to the source reporting.
The sexual assault conviction at issue arose from an early-1980s allegation that Stronach groped the complainant at his residence after dinner. That conviction no longer stands after the mistrial.
Stronach still has one conviction remaining: indecent assault involving another woman. Sentencing on that conviction is scheduled for September.
The case originally involved a dozen allegations involving seven complainants. After the mistrial, only one conviction remains.
Defence pointed to civil communications
The mistrial was granted after the defence raised communications from the complainant’s civil lawyer. Stronach’s defence said those communications contradicted what the complainant had told the court during the criminal trial.
The civil communications involved a substantial damages demand. In court, Shemesh alleged the complainant’s lawyer had contacted her to “extract money,” according to the source reporting.
The judge called the situation “bizarre,” and said, “I don’t see any way around this,” before declaring the mistrial, according to the reporting from court.
Shemesh said outside court she was “thrilled” by the development.
What the allegation involved
The sexual assault conviction that was set aside by the mistrial stemmed from an early-1980s allegation involving a dinner and a later visit to Stronach’s residence.
The complainant alleged Stronach groped her there, touching her body without consent. That was the conviction affected by the mistrial ruling.
The remaining conviction is separate. It is for indecent assault involving another woman, and sentencing is scheduled for September.
Only one conviction remains
The scale of the case has shifted significantly. It involved a dozen allegations involving seven complainants, but after the mistrial, only one conviction remains.
The post-conviction mistrial does not resolve whether the sexual assault allegation will be tried again. According to the Ottawa Sun, the Crown can decide whether to prosecute that allegation again.
For now, the practical effect is that Stronach no longer faces the sexual assault conviction that had been entered in connection with the early-1980s allegation, while the indecent assault conviction remains before the court for sentencing in September.
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