A lawyer for billionaire businessman Frank Stronach has confirmed that a judge has declared a mistrial in his sexual assault conviction, overturning a previous guilty verdict.The ruling came unexpectedly ahead of Stronach's scheduled September sentencing hearing.Stronach was initially convicted of two charges—sexual assault and indecent assault—related to allegations from two complainants.

His legal team argued that the mistrial was warranted after presenting emails from the complainant's lawyer in a separate civil case, which were deemed inconsistent with testimony in the criminal trial.The auto-parts magnate faced 12 charges initially but had four dismissed and one withdrawn by prosecutors.Lawyer Leora Shemesh described the mistrial decision as 'incredibly rare,' emphasizing the legal complexities involved.

The case highlights ongoing debates about the intersection of criminal and civil proceedings in sexual assault cases, as well as the challenges of prosecuting decades-old allegations.The Canadian Press has sought comment from the prosecutor's office, underscoring the public interest in the outcome.This development marks a significant shift in the legal trajectory of Stronach, who has been a prominent figure in Canadian business and politics.