Mark Gollom · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 09, 2026 6:31 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago

WARNING: This story references sexual assault allegations and may affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone affected by it.

Two more charges will be withdrawn in the sexual assault trial of Frank Stronach, meaning the Canadian businessman is now facing seven counts, down from the original 12.

"We are not going to make submissions at the conclusion of the trial, that there is sufficient evidence to sustain findings of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt with respect to the allegations relating to ... counts seven and eight on the indictment," Crown prosecutor Jelena Vlacic told court on Monday.

Those two counts of sexual assault relate to the fourth and fifth of the seven complainants in the case to testify.

Earlier, on Friday, Vlacic told the court that after reviewing the evidence related to the attempt rape charge connected to the third complainant to testify, "it does fall short" in terms of meeting the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Meanwhile, the Crown had previously told court it would be withdrawing two other counts — forcible confinement and sexual assault, related to the sixth complainant to testify.

WATCH | Stronach lawyer cross-examines 2nd complainant:

Stronach now faces seven counts, related to four of the initial seven complainants. The 93-year-old founder of auto-parts giant Magna International has denied the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Fourth and fifth complainants' testimony

The fourth complainant had previously told court that she was a university student who had worked for Stronach's company in the summer of 1983.

The woman told court that she got the job because her father had known Stronach. Near the end of the summer, she accepted an invitation from Stronach to go out for dinner, the woman told court.

During that evening, she said she also accepted Stronach's invite for her to see the view from his apartment at Harbourfront. Once there, she said Stronach raped her.

But Stronach's lawyer, Leora Shemesh, rejected the woman's testimony that she had memory lapses about the alleged assault, and instead, suggested the woman had regret about the incident.

Shemesh also pointed out to court that during her evidence, the Crown had never specifically asked whether the woman had consented.

Stronach's lawyer Leora Shemesh cross-examines a complainant in a Toronto courtroom. (Alexandra Newbould/CBC)

As well, the woman, on her second day in the witness box, began by apologizing to the court for having denied, under questioning by Vlacic the day before, that she read a June 2024 article in the Globe and Mail by a woman who is suing Stronach in a civil lawsuit.

Meanwhile, the fifth complainant to testify said that Stronach had raped her inside a hotel room back in 1990.

But Shemesh accused the woman of having a "tendency to lie" and making up new details about the alleged attack during her testimony, ones she had never previously relayed to police.

The decision to no longer pursue two of the charges related to the fourth and fifth complainant to testify comes as Stronach's lawyers launched their defence.

Last week, the Crown rested its case, having heard from all seven complainants whose allegations against Stronach included sexual assault and the historical charge of rape.

Many of the women told similar stories — meeting Stronach at Rooney's, the Toronto restaurant he used to own, and then accepting an invitation back to his Harbourfront condo. It's there where they allege he sexually assaulted them.

The Crown called eight witnesses — all seven complainants and the friend and co-worker of the final complainant — to testify.

Defence lawyer Rameez Sewani questions horse trainer Beverly Buck at Stronach's sexual assault trial in Toronto. (Alexandra Newbould/CBC)

One of the defence witnesses called on Monday included Beverly Buck, a horse trainer who worked at stables owned by Stronach. 

A complainant who said she had been raped by Stronach had previously testified that she had worked at that stables, grooming horses.

Defence questions witness

Questioned by defence counsel Rameez Sewani, Buck, who would have been working there at the same time as the complainant, said she didn’t have any knowledge of the woman working there.

When shown photographs of the complainant, including one of her tending to a horse, Buck said the picture was taken at Woodbine Racetrack, not the stables.

Buck was also asked about one of the champion horses the complainant said she groomed and rode.

Buck referred to another woman at the barn as being the groom for that particular horse. Asked if she had any recollection of anybody new who was only there for a few weeks getting to ride that horse, Buck said: “I was there for eight years, and I had ridden most of my life, and I got to ride her once in the arena.”

Under cross-examination from Vlacic, Buck acknowledged that she was never in charge of hiring people or paying them. 

Vlacic also suggested to Buck that new people were coming in and out of the barn. Vlacic also said that others may have also groomed the horse, including her.

“Very specific people, very specific," Buck said.

The trial continues Monday.