UMVA has learned that the 93‑year‑old founder of a global auto‑parts empire has finally been held accountable for decades of predatory behavior.
After a grueling, judge‑only trial that spanned months, the disgraced magnate was convicted of indecent assault and sexual assault, though a jury acquitted him of the more serious rape charges.
The courtroom drama unfolded under the watch of Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy, who heard the harrowing testimonies of seven women and examined twelve alleged offenses, though only four women and five counts survived to the verdict.
One witness, a former legal secretary who once frequented the billionaire’s infamous disco, recounted being lured to his apartment in 1977, only to have him push her over a chair, yank up her skirt and grind his pelvis against her. Molloy described the act as “gross and disgusting,” deeming it indecent assault.
Another survivor, a former cocktail waitress, told the court how she agreed to meet the tycoon for dinner to discuss a sudden termination. When she tried to leave his Harbourfront condo, he ran his hands over her breasts and hips, insisting she stay. The judge called the conduct “sexual assault,” emphasizing that “the era does not excuse the behavior nor make it consensual.”
Other complainants faced credibility challenges. A former horse groom’s vivid story of digital penetration and rape was deemed “full of holes and gaps,” while a businesswoman’s account was questioned after she had read the groom’s allegations in the media.
Justice Molloy noted the difficulty of determining consent in one testimony, concluding it was “possible” the encounter was non‑consensual, leaving the complainant feeling used and demeaned.
Defense counsel hailed the acquittals on the most serious charges, yet acknowledged disappointment over the convictions on the lesser offenses.
During the proceedings, the judge highlighted the stark contrast between the billionaire’s access to top‑tier legal resources and the limited means of ordinary defendants, questioning whether justice would have been as thorough without his wealth.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the ruling also criticized the police’s “believe the victim” approach, urging a balanced investigation that rigorously tests all allegations, regardless of the accused’s status.
Sentencing is set for September, and a second sexual‑assault trial looms on the horizon, promising further scrutiny of the powerful figure’s legacy.
