The Aurora Recreation Complex is removing Frank Stronach's name after the Canadian billionaire and Magna International founder was convicted earlier this month of sexual assault and indecent assault. Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas announced the decision in a statement, saying the town will begin the process of finding a new naming rights partner for the facility.
Mayor condemns sexual violence
“I strongly condemn sexual violence and recognize the profound and lasting impact it has on survivors, their families and entire communities,” Mrakas said. “Following discussions with Magna regarding facility naming rights, the town will remove the Stronach name from the Aurora Recreation Complex.” Aurora is located 50 km north of Toronto.
Conviction details
Stronach, 93, was found guilty on two of five charges by Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on June 19. He was convicted of indecent assault and sexual assault relating to two different women. His sentencing was delayed until Sept. 17. He is also set to face another sexual assault trial next year in Newmarket, which borders Aurora to the north.
Details of charges
The indecent assault charge involved a complainant who was a legal secretary and dates back to an incident in the fall of 1977. She testified that after having dinner with Stronach at a restaurant, the assault happened at his apartment in the Balliol St. and Mount Pleasant Rd. area. The sexual assault charge involved a complainant who was a cocktail waitress at Rooney’s at the time of the incident, happening sometime between Jan. 4, 1983 and Dec. 31, 1984, at Stronach’s Harbourfront condo.
The trial initially included 12 charges from seven complainants, but prosecutors ended up deciding to proceed with seven charges from four complainants. The charges stemmed from alleged incidents between 1977 to 1990 and none of the women were known to each other. Stronach, who did not testify at the Toronto trial, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
