Inside the Crown's Teetering Case Against Billionaire Frank Stronach at Toronto Rape Trial
Seven young women from 1980s Toronto stand as the alleged victims in this high-stakes prosecution of a powerful billionaire. All have now testified, completing the Crown's case against Frank Stronach, who faces twelve charges for offences allegedly occurring between 1977 and 1990.
The Witnesses Come Forward
Now older and in some cases frail, most complainants came forward approximately ten years ago during the cultural revolution in sexual assault ethics and law broadly known as the #MeToo movement. Looking back at the incidents, many testified they initially tried to put the experiences behind them, expecting not to be believed or even listened to by authorities.
Back in the 1980s, some lived in apartments in the Yonge and Eglinton area, while another resided with her mother in Cabbagetown. Most first crossed paths with Stronach at Rooney's, the nightspot the billionaire auto parts magnate owned near Yonge and St. Clair.
Detailed Testimony Emerges
One witness, now 73 years old, entered the courtroom on crutches but spoke with confidence as she recounted an incident from 1977, shortly after her 25th birthday. She described meeting Stronach at Rooney's, where he had sent Champagne to her birthday party table. They had eaten dinner together multiple times at Le Connaisseur, the adjoining restaurant he also owned.
"It happened so quickly. I was just pushed forward, face first, from behind, fairly forceful," she testified. "It wasn't violent but it was firm."
She recalled eating lobster with Stronach that fall evening before he asked if she would like to see his apartment. Feeling no apprehension at the time, she agreed and they drove the short distance in his Cadillac to an apartment near Mount Pleasant Road and Balliol Street.
Inside the apartment, she testified that Stronach briefly stepped away before suddenly reappearing behind her. He pushed her over an armchair, lifted her skirt, and attempted to penetrate her underwear. She remembered wearing a two-piece red wool dress with a dashed pattern of ivory and grey from the St. Regis Room in the old Simpsons department store, along with stockings, a garter belt, bra, panties and a half slip.
"Frankly, it was kind of bizarre," she said. "It was kind of pathetic.... I have to say I felt betrayed.... I freed myself from this bizarre event and I gathered up my things and I left."
Pattern of Allegations
Several women allege Stronach raped them at his Harbour Castle condo, in one case after a dinner date in the adjoined revolving restaurant. The Balliol Street incident appears unique among the allegations and seems to be among the cases the defense will claim never happened at all, suggesting Stronach may never have even had an apartment at that location.
With other allegations concerning the Harbour Castle condo, Stronach's counsel is expected to argue that either the women consented to sexual activity or that Stronach reasonably and honestly believed they had given consent.
Legal Proceedings Continue
Stronach, now 93 years old but 45 at the time of the earliest alleged incident, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The defense will begin calling evidence starting Monday, marking the next phase of this closely watched trial that pits the testimony of seven women against one of Canada's most prominent business figures.
The case represents a significant test of how historical sexual assault allegations are handled in the modern legal system, particularly when they involve powerful individuals and events that occurred decades earlier.
