Quebec billionaire Robert Miller arrested, charged with sex offences against 10 victims
CBC
WARNING: This article contains graphic content and may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.
Reclusive Quebec billionaire Robert G. Miller, who allegedly paid several young girls in exchange for sexual favours, was arrested Thursday afternoon and faces 21 charges, including sexual assault, obtaining sexual services for consideration and several counts of sexual exploitation of minors.
The former owner of Future Electronics was arrested at his home in the Montreal neighbourhood of Westmount.
Miller is alleged to have committed the offences against 10 women and girls — eight of them minors — between 1994 and 2016, Montreal police said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. One of the alleged victims was under 14 years old at the time of alleged offences.
The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) said Miller was released with conditions on a promise to appear in court on July 3. In a media release, police said he was unable to appear in court Thursday due to his health. Miller, 80, has late-stage Parkinson's disease.
The SPVM said its investigation into the offences is ongoing and appealed for any victims to come forward.
The charges are the culmination of a year-long police investigation, which was triggered by a CBC/Radio-Canada investigation that aired in February 2023.
According to the SPVM, after the story aired, more victims came forward, which allowed police to reopen an investigation.
In a written statement Thursday evening, Miller reiterated his innocence and said he will fight the allegations. He said that "the clear motivation behind this whole case, dating back as far as 30 years ago, is easy financial gain" at his expense.
Miller "deplores" the fact that the prosecution proceeded with charges "notwithstanding its knowledge that his state of health prevents him from defending himself," the statement said.
Last year, Radio-Canada's Enquête and CBC's The Fifth Estate revealed allegations from several women who said Miller had paid them for sexual services while they were minors, some as young as 14.
The women who spoke to CBC/Radio-Canada claimed they'd been paid thousands of dollars in cash and showered with designer clothes, handbags and shoes. They also claimed that Miller paid them generous incentives to recruit their friends.
Miller has always denied the allegations made against him. His lawyer has not commented on the criminal accusations.
Thursday's arrest brought a sense of closure for some.
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