Shocking Allegations against Robert Miller

In a startling turn of events, a Quebec judge has commenced proceedings for a class-action lawsuit against Montreal mogul Robert Miller, founder of the global electronics distributor Future Electronics. The lawsuit centers around chilling allegations that Miller paid minors for sex, raising questions about his conduct that may span decades.

Details of the Class-Action Suit

The proposed class-action identifies as potential victims anyone under the age of 18 who was allegedly paid for sexual encounters with Miller, or who suffered sexual exploitation initiated by him or associates. Lawyer Jeff Orenstein, representing the plaintiffs, revealed that 51 women have approached his firm with claims against Miller. However, he speculated that the actual number of victims could reach as high as 100, as many alleged victims reported that they were involved in recruiting others into this disturbing scenario.

Pattern of Exploitation

“A deep dive into the declarations reveals a troubling pattern,” Orenstein stated. “It appears that many individuals were not alone in their encounters with Miller, suggesting a more extensive network of exploitation.”

Targeting Young Girls

The lawsuit claims that high school girls were systematically targeted and lured into sexual encounters with Miller, often incentivized with money and gifts. One horrifying account from a plaintiff details that her encounters began when she was just 11 years old. The abuse is alleged to have continued from the late 1970s up until 2016, illustrating a prolonged and alarming trend.

Public Attention and Fallout

This controversy began gaining public attention in February 2023, following reports from Radio-Canada and CBC that accused Miller of exchanging cash and gifts for sexual favors from minors between 1994 and 2006. The fallout from these accusations forced Miller out of his leadership role at Future Electronics and led to the company being sold.

Criminal Charges

In May 2024, he was arrested on 21 criminal charges involving 10 alleged victims, many of whom are minors. It is crucial to emphasize that none of the allegations have yet been proven in a court of law. Miller has consistently denied all accusations both in the criminal case and in the ongoing class-action lawsuit currently under consideration by Quebec Superior Court.

Miller's Denial and Defense

Miller’s attorney, Karim Renno, stated outside the courtroom that Miller maintains his innocence, claiming that past police investigations, which initially deemed the allegations unfounded, reached the conclusion that he never engaged in sexual relations with anyone under 18. Interestingly, the original investigations conducted by Montreal police came to an abrupt halt in 2009 but were resurrected following the recent media report.

Class-Action Format Debate

Furthermore, Renno expressed that the class-action format is inappropriate for allegations of this nature. He referred to the overturned class-action case involving Gilbert Rozon, an entertainment industry figure accused of sexual assault, to bolster his argument against the current proceedings.

Victims' Empowerment

Nevertheless, Orenstein countered this assertion, arguing that utilizing class actions in cases of sexual abuse empowers victims to seek justice without fear of public exposure. “Victims deserve protection and the anonymity provided in class actions facilitates their pursuit of justice,” he said.

Ongoing Court Proceedings

The courtroom drama is set to continue as Quebec Superior Court Justice Catherine Piché hears arguments from lawyers representing Miller, Future Electronics, and three former executives linked to the alleged exploitation network. The stakes are incredibly high, not only for the victims seeking redress but also for Miller—who, according to Renno, is battling advanced Parkinson's disease and whose health is declining. Renno emphasized, “We hope that he will be able to stay alive long enough to defend himself, but that’s not something we can take for granted.”

Future of Legal Actions

Even should the unthinkable occur and Miller pass away before resolution, Orenstein assures that legal action will persist against his estate. This unfolding saga underscores a society grappling with deep-seated issues of power, exploitation, and the quest for justice amid harrowing allegations of abuse.

Conclusion

Stay tuned as this story develops, revealing more shocking updates on the case that could potentially involve dozens of victims and challenge norms in the pursuit of accountability!