Stronach civil case highlights Succession-like battle over family's billions
CBC
An Ontario judge's looming decision on whether to compel the Stronach Group to disclose evidence of any coverup of sexual misconduct may add yet a new dimension to a deepening scandal surrounding the multinational's billionaire founder.
The civil court case also offers a peek into the deep divisions at the heart of a family feud involving auto parts tycoon Frank Stronach's adult children and grandchildren.
According to at least one longtime observer, the conflict bears a resemblance to the infighting involving another famous clan.
"There are a lot of parallels to the fictional family in Succession," said Dimitry Anastakis, a University of Toronto professor and business historian.
The popular HBO drama series portrayed members of the mega-rich Roy family — usually in lavish surroundings — as they battled for control of a media conglomerate led by an aging patriarch.
Like Logan Roy's fictional rags-to-riches tale, the Austrian-born Stronach built a successful business empire after immigrating to Canada. But recent criminal accusations threaten to consume the 91-year-old's legacy.
In June, Peel Regional Police, near Toronto, laid 13 charges against Stronach, including sexual assault, rape and forcible confinement. The charges stem from alleged incidents involving 10 accusers, from 1977 to this past February.
In an interview with CBC's The Fifth Estate earlier this week, Stronach denied wrongdoing. He said he would prove the criminal allegations amounted to "lies" and suggested that the complainants were motivated by money.
Still, the charges — and media reports suggesting corporate assets may have helped facilitate sexual misconduct — prompted one of Stronach's granddaughters, Selena Stronach, to probe for answers.
Already locked in a long-standing legal battle over family riches, the lawyers for 23-year-old Selena filed a new motion, alleging "it is likely that records exist which reveal a pattern of misconduct by Mr. Stronach that includes corporate knowledge and, potentially, facilitation and coverup."
Frank Stronach initially made a fortune from Magna International, the auto parts manufacturer he launched in 1957. He later spun off subsidiaries specializing in horse racing and entertainment that now fall under the Stronach Group. Frank Stronach is no longer directly involved in either firm.
Selena Stronach's lawyers recently asked a judge to order Stronach Group executives, including her aunt, Belinda, to hand over any documents — such as non-disclosure agreements and payment records — related to sexual misconduct complaints against Frank Stronach.
The motion is part of a broader civil suit brought by Selena and her father, Andrew Stronach, who claim Belinda and others have mismanaged the family fortune. The case is scheduled to go to trial next month.
Anastakis, the business historian, said the civil suit is about more than the family's multibillion-dollar fortune.
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