A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class action against billionaire Robert Miller, the company he founded, Future Electronics, and purported accomplices, for allegedly paying minors for sex.
The lawsuit was brought forward by three women who, according to the decision, “claim to have been victims of a juvenile prostitution system organized for the sexual benefit” of Miller.
“These extremely serious acts allegedly took place over several years, when they were between the ages of 11 and 17,” according to the decision issued Tuesday by Judge Catherine Piché.
The judge said that the case involves about 100 minors between 1994 and 2006 whom the plaintiffs say were recruited “always with the assistance of several Future employees who allegedly participated in the network.”
“The court should not, at this stage, consider the merits of the dispute and it should take the facts as proven, unless they appear improbable or manifestly inaccurate,” Piché wrote.
In November, before the judge took the case under advisement, lawyer Jeff Orenstein, who represents the plaintiffs, told the court that 51 alleged victims had come forward to his firm.
The 81-year-old businessman, who allegedly paid dozens of underage girls over a 20-year period for sex, could face more than $150 million in requested damages.
One of the three plaintiffs said she was only 11 when she first had sex with the accused. The other two said they were 16 and 17.
Miller, who has advanced Parkinson’s disease, has not yet appeared in court due to his poor health. His lawyers asked that he be questioned in writing — a process that has already started and was exceptionally authorized due to the state of his health.
In addition to the class action, Miller faces a total of 24 charges filed by Quebec’s director of criminal and penal prosecutions.
He is also the subject of civil lawsuits in connection with four individual complaints. In November, a judge ordered the seizure of two of Miller’s residences at the request of four women who filed civil suits alleging he abused them as minors.
Radio-Canada spoke with one of the plaintiffs whose identity is protected due to the authorized class action.
“This news really warms my heart. It is high time that justice be served and that Miller and his accomplices be punished for the harm and abuse they inflicted on us,” she said.
The alleged accomplices are Sam Joseph Abrams, Raymond Poulet and Helmut Lippmann.
Orenstein said he welcomes Piché’s decision.
“It is a well-thought-out judgment,” he said. “I have sent it to our clients and everyone is very encouraged by this decision. Now we can move ahead to the merits and hopefully get our clients some justice.”
Miller’s lawyers did not respond by publication time to Radio-Canada’s request for comment.
The accused has repeatedly denied the allegations of sexual abuse and opposed the class action lawsuit.
At a hearing before the Quebec Superior Court in November, his lawyer Karim Renno argued that his client has the right to know the names of his accusers.
He argued that Miller can’t present a complete defence if he does not know who is accusing him.
