Future Electronics founder was investigated for allegedly paying minors for sex, Radio-Canada reports
Robert Miller denies any wrongdoing and told Radio-Canada he has never had sex with anyone under the age of majority.
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Several women have told Radio-Canada’s Inquiry they were paid to have sex with Montreal billionaire Robert Miller, founder of Future Electronics, when they were minors.
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The report, published on Radio-Canada’s website Thursday morning, sheds light on an investigation by Montreal police conducted more than a decade ago that resulted in no criminal charges being filed against the head of the Pointe-based company -Claire was raised. The women who reached out to Radio-Canada are still wondering why no charges have been filed.
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On November 4, 2009, the Montreal Police Department’s Child Sexual Exploitation Unit executed a search warrant at the Hymus Blvd building of the multi-billion dollar international electronic components retailer. Reporters working in the former Montreal Gazette offices on the West Island, also on Hymus Blvd., caught the police action and a Gazette photographer took pictures as detectives entered and exited the building. But at the time, Montreal police declined to comment on the investigation, and nobody at Future Electronics was willing to comment.
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On Thursday, a woman who answered the phone at Future Electronics said the company would again not comment on Enquete’s story.
“It’s a private company. We don’t do that,” the woman said.
Six women were interviewed by Enquête, each claiming to have had sex with Miller for money. According to the report published on Radio-Canada’s website, Miller responded to the allegations with a letter denying any wrongdoing. He wrote that he never had sex with anyone under the age of majority, which was previously 14 before Canada’s Penal Code changed it to 16 in 2008.
Police sources told the Gazette in 2009 that Miller was under investigation for allegedly paying for sex with a minor, which is illegal in Canada. Sources also said the findings of the investigation were presented to the Director of Law Enforcement and Law Enforcement (DPCP), but no charges were filed.
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John Westlake, a retired Montreal police detective who now works as a private investigator, was interviewed by Enquête. As a private investigator, he investigated allegations that Miller had sex with a minor.
On Thursday, Westlake told the Gazette he was very disappointed to learn that no charges had been filed following the police investigation.
Some of the women who came forward told the Enquete they were confused about how the investigation was being conducted. They said an attorney representing Miller was present when they made their statements to the police.
“They treated us almost like criminals,” one woman told Enquete. “We had to be fingerprinted, they took our photos: profile, face. When you treat victims like that, it’s super intimidating.”
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“The girls weren’t treated right or with respect,” Westlake told the Gazette Thursday. “It just seemed to be about power and money.”
The article on Radio-Canada’s website states that Miller was having sex with the minors at a Montreal hotel near his home at the time. The article quotes a hotel worker who described how in 1999 and 2000 he saw several teenage girls walking into his suite.
The article also alleges that Miller moved the meeting location to a home in Westmount in the early 2000s. The women interviewed said Miller claimed his name was Bob Adams and that he was an American businessman who often traveled to Montreal. They said Miller would ask them many questions about himself but rarely reveal anything about himself.
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Westlake was asked to investigate because Miller’s wife suspected her husband was having sex with a minor. After surveilling the Westmount home for three weeks, Westlake and his partner noticed several young teenagers coming in and out with large bags.
Westlake told Radio-Canada that Miller must have gotten wind of the investigation because he ended up being approached by two men he previously knew. One was Terry Corcoran, head of the National Criminal Investigation Service, a firm based out of Future Electronics’ offices. The other was Stephen Roberts, now a retired detective lieutenant with the Montreal Police Department and working for Corcoran at the time.
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“Stephen Roberts told us, ‘We’re going to give you $300,000 to stop the investigation and give us what you’ve collected,'” Westlake was quoted as saying by Radio-Canada.
Westlake stood by the comment when speaking to the Gazette.
When asked for comment, Roberts categorically denied the allegation.
“I’ve never offered money for files in my life,” Roberts said.
The Montreal Gazette left a message on Corcoran asking for his comment.
Also on Thursday, the Montreal Police Department said in an email, “With rare exceptions, the Montreal Police Department does not comment on specific investigations or disclose their investigative techniques. Also, since no charges have been filed, it would be difficult to speak publicly about this case without endangering the citizen involved. For these reasons, we unfortunately have to decline your request for a statement.
“The Montreal Police Department takes the sexual exploitation of minors very seriously. We recognize that it can be difficult for a victim to report a sexual situation or assault. There are several measures in place to provide the best possible support to victims and we are working closely with Crime Victims Assistance Center (CAVAC) staff.”
This article will be updated.
