Legal Briefing: The Frank Stronach Criminal Trials

Frank Stronach, the 93-year-old auto-parts titan and founder of Magna International, is now facing his day in court. As of February 3, 2026, the first of two scheduled trials has officially commenced in Toronto, marking a significant moment in Canadian corporate and legal history.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

The Trial Structure: A Two-Front Battle

Because the allegations span several decades and different jurisdictions, the court has divided the proceedings:

• The Toronto Chapter: Currently underway, this trial addresses 12 charges involving seven complainants. These cases involve allegations of rape and sexual assault dating back to the 1970s.
• The Newmarket Chapter: Scheduled for later in 2026, this second trial will handle 6 charges from six additional complainants, with some allegations reaching as far back as 1988 and others as recent as 2024.

The “Historical” Legal Hurdle

This trial is a test of how the Canadian justice system handles historical offenses.

• Old Laws, New Court: Because some incidents allegedly occurred before 1983, Stronach is being tried under the laws of that era—meaning you will hear archaic legal terms like “indecent assault” alongside modern “sexual assault” charges.
• The Memory Factor: Without physical evidence from the 1970s, the Crown’s case rests almost entirely on the credibility of the witnesses. The defense will likely argue that memories fade and details blur over half a century.

Key Players & Strategy

• The Bench: Justice Anne Molloy is presiding over the case. By choosing a judge-alone trial, Stronach’s legal team has opted for a clinical, legalistic evaluation of the evidence rather than a potentially emotional trial by jury.
• The Defense: Led by Leora Shemesh, the defense maintains that Stronach is entirely innocent. They have signaled a strategy that suggests the complainants may have financial motives—a claim the prosecution will vigorously contest.
• The Complainants: To protect their privacy, a publication ban remains in effect. While the public will hear the harrowing details of the testimony, the identities of the 13 women will remain shielded.

What to Watch For

As the trial progresses, expect intense cross-examinations. The defense will attempt to find inconsistencies in the decades-old narratives, while the prosecution will look to establish a “systemic pattern of behavior” that spans Stronach’s long career.