TORONTO, June 7 (Reuters) - Frank Stronach, founder of

Canada's Magna International Inc ( MGA ), was arrested and

charged with five criminal offenses including sexual assault and

rape on Friday, local Canadian police officials said in a

statement.

Stronach, 91, was arrested from the elite Toronto suburb of

Aurora. The Peel Regional Police said the alleged sexual

assaults spanned from the 1980s to 2023.

A lawyer representing Stronach said he "categorically

denies" all allegations that have been brought against him.

"He looks forward to the opportunity to fully respond to the

charges and to maintain his legacy as a philanthropist and as an

icon of the Canadian business community," said Brian Greenspan,

the lawyer representing Stronach.

Stronach has been released on conditions and will appear at

the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date, the

police said in the statement.

Magna, a auto component manufacturer, said it had no

knowledge of the investigation or the allegations that have been

raised beyond what has been reported in the media.

"Stronach has had no affiliation with Magna since he

relinquishing control in 2010," the company said in an email.

Magna has a market capitalization of C$17.23 billion ($12.52

billion).

"Police are appealing to members of the public to come

forward if they have any relevant information," the Peel

Regional Police said in a statement.

($1 = 1.3764 Canadian dollars)