Montreal billionaire Robert Miller is currently facing criminal charges related to sexual misconduct with a new complainant who was under the age of 14 when the alleged offenses began.
The 81-year-old founder of global electronics firm Future Electronics was taken into custody in May on 21 sex-related counts involving 10 other complainants, many of whom were minors at the time of the alleged incidents between 1994 and 2016.
Miller now faces three additional charges, including sexual interference with a person under the age of 16, sexual exploitation of a minor, and obtaining sexual services from a minor. The case was brought before the court on Thursday.
The alleged crimes took place between 1995 and 2000, starting when the woman was under 14 years old. Miller had previously been accused of various sexual offenses, including sexual assault, sexual interference, enticing a person to commit prostitution, sexual exploitation, and engaging in sexual activities for consideration with a minor.
A Quebec court judge has scheduled Miller’s next court appearance for Feb. 25 to determine whether he prefers a trial by jury or a judge alone. Crown attorney Delphine Mauger stated that she is prepared to move forward with the trial.
Also appearing in court on Thursday was a lawyer representing Teresita Fuentes, an alleged accomplice of Miller, who is facing a charge of procuring sexual services in connection with one of Miller’s alleged victims. Fuentes’ case will also be revisited on Feb. 25.
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An investigative report from February 2023 by Radio-Canada and the CBC revealed that Miller allegedly provided cash and gifts to minors in exchange for sexual favors between 1994 and 2006. He reportedly used the alias “Bob Adams,” an American businessman who frequently visited Montreal, where the encounters allegedly took place in hotels and a private home in Westmount, Quebec.
Although Montreal police investigated the matter in 2008 and 2009, the Crown chose not to pursue charges at that time. However, following the 2023 investigative report, the case was reopened, leading to the filing of civil lawsuits.
In addition to the criminal charges, the billionaire is now facing several civil lawsuits, including a class action that is pending authorization. A lawyer representing the plaintiffs in the class action stated that 51 women have joined the lawsuit, with the potential for the number to reach as high as 100.
Despite denying the allegations, Miller, who is battling Parkinson’s disease, faces challenges in reviewing evidence due to his deteriorating health. In February 2023, he resigned as chairman and CEO of Future Electronics to focus on safeguarding his reputation and addressing his health concerns.
