Quebec billionaire Robert Miller arrested, charged with sex offences against 10 victims
CBC
WARNING: This article contains graphic content and may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.
Reclusive Quebec billionaire Robert G. Miller, who allegedly paid several young girls in exchange for sexual favours, was arrested Thursday afternoon and faces 21 charges, including sexual assault, obtaining sexual services for consideration and several counts of sexual exploitation of minors.
The former owner of Future Electronics was arrested at his home in the Montreal neighbourhood of Westmount.
Miller is alleged to have committed the offences against 10 women and girls — eight of them minors — between 1994 and 2016, Montreal police said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. One of the alleged victims was under 14 years old at the time of alleged offences.
The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) said Miller was released with conditions on a promise to appear in court on July 3. In a media release, police said he was unable to appear in court Thursday due to his health. Miller, 80, has late-stage Parkinson's disease.
The SPVM said its investigation into the offences is ongoing and appealed for any victims to come forward.
The charges are the culmination of a year-long police investigation, which was triggered by a CBC/Radio-Canada investigation that aired in February 2023.
According to the SPVM, after the story aired, more victims came forward, which allowed police to reopen an investigation.
In a written statement Thursday evening, Miller reiterated his innocence and said he will fight the allegations. He said that "the clear motivation behind this whole case, dating back as far as 30 years ago, is easy financial gain" at his expense.
Miller "deplores" the fact that the prosecution proceeded with charges "notwithstanding its knowledge that his state of health prevents him from defending himself," the statement said.
Last year, Radio-Canada's Enquête and CBC's The Fifth Estate revealed allegations from several women who said Miller had paid them for sexual services while they were minors, some as young as 14.
The women who spoke to CBC/Radio-Canada claimed they'd been paid thousands of dollars in cash and showered with designer clothes, handbags and shoes. They also claimed that Miller paid them generous incentives to recruit their friends.
Miller has always denied the allegations made against him. His lawyer has not commented on the criminal accusations.
Thursday's arrest brought a sense of closure for some.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.