As many as 100 abuse victims of Montreal billionaire Robert Miller, lawyer says
He was arrested in May 2024 on 21 criminal charges involving 10 alleged victims, many of them minors. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
A Quebec judge has begun hearing arguments for a class-action lawsuit application against Montreal billionaire Robert Miller, who is accused of paying minors for sex. The lawsuit alleges a long-running pattern of sexual exploitation involving Miller, the founder of Future Electronics.
The proposed class includes individuals under the age of 18 who were allegedly paid for sexual acts by Miller or were victims of sexual exploitation linked to him or any associated group identified by the court. Lawyer Jeff Orenstein, representing the plaintiffs, stated that 51 women have come forward, with the actual number of victims possibly reaching 100 due to reports of victims recruiting others.
According to the lawsuit, Miller allegedly operated through a systematic approach, recruiting high school students and compensating them with money and gifts in exchange for sexual acts. These encounters reportedly began as early as the late 1970s and continued until 2016. One plaintiff claims she was only 11 years old when the abuse began.
Miller, 81, faces 21 criminal charges involving 10 alleged victims, many of them minors. He has denied the allegations in both the criminal proceedings and the class-action lawsuit, which is awaiting authorization from Quebec Superior Court. Miller’s lawyer, Karim Renno, emphasized that his client asserts he never engaged in sexual relations with anyone under 18, referencing an earlier police investigation in 2008-2009 that concluded the allegations were unfounded. That investigation was reopened in 2023 following a media report.
Renno also argued that a class action is not an appropriate legal pathway for sexual assault cases, referencing a 2020 decision where a similar case involving Gilbert Rozon was overturned by the Court of Appeal. He further criticized the anonymity of the plaintiffs, suggesting it hinders a fair defense for his client.
Orenstein countered that anonymity in class actions is vital for ensuring justice in sexual abuse cases, as it encourages victims to come forward without fear of public exposure. "That's why sexual assault cases are well-suited for class actions," he said.
The case also implicates three former executives of Future Electronics, who are accused of participating in a scheme to recruit young women for Miller. Hearings will continue, and Justice Catherine Piché will decide whether to approve the lawsuit.
Miller’s health is reportedly deteriorating due to advanced Parkinson’s disease, raising concerns about his ability to participate in legal proceedings. However, Orenstein clarified that even if Miller passes away, his estate would remain a target for the lawsuit.