A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class-action lawsuit against billionaire Robert Miller, the company he founded, Future Electronics, and alleged accomplices, for allegedly paying minors in exchange for sex.
The lawsuit was filed by three women who, according to the decision, “claim to have been victims of a system of juvenile prostitution organized for the sexual benefit” of Miller.
“These very serious events would have occurred over several years, when they were between 11 and 17 years old,” according to the decision issued on Tuesday by Judge Catherine Piché.
The judge said the case involves about 100 minors between 1994 and 2006 who, according to the plaintiffs, were recruited “always with the help of several future employees who allegedly participated in the network.”
“The court should not, at this stage, consider the merits of the litigation and should consider the facts as proven, unless they appear improbable or manifestly inaccurate,” Piché wrote.
In November, before the judge considered the case, attorney 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 sought damages.
One of the three plaintiffs said she was only 11 years old when she first had sexual relations with the defendant. The other two said they were 16 and 17 years old.
Miller, who suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease, has not yet appeared in court due to his poor health. His lawyers asked him to be disputed in writing, a process that has already begun and was exceptionally authorized due to his state of health.
In addition to the class-action lawsuit, Miller faces a total of 24 charges brought by Quebec’s director of criminal and penal prosecution.
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 lawsuits alleging he abused them when they were minors.
Radio-Canada spoke with one of the plaintiffs whose identity is protected due to the authorized class action lawsuit.
“This news truly warms my heart. It is time for justice to be served and for Miller and his accomplices to 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’s a well-thought-out judgment,” he said. “I have sent it to our clients and they are all very encouraged by this decision. Now we can move on to the merits and hopefully achieve some justice for our clients.”
Miller’s lawyers did not respond by press time to Radio-Canada’s request for comment.
The defendant has repeatedly denied the sexual abuse allegations 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 a right to know the names of his accusers.
He argued that Miller cannot present a complete defense if he does not know who is accusing him.
