Filmmaker Haggis says he never forced himself on publicist
2 years, 1 month ago

Filmmaker Haggis says he never forced himself on publicist

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Disputing allegations in a rape lawsuit, Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis testified Thursday that his accuser sometimes seemed “conflicted” during their initial kisses but then started taking initiative. If you don’t want to do it, don’t do it.” “She seemed conflicted in some way,” Haggis said. By the time they reached a guest bedroom, Breest seemed “confident” as they began kissing and eventually poured onto a guestroom bed, Haggis said. He said that eventually, she moved him in position to receive oral sex, saying: “I’m good at this.” “The way she said it was kind of adorable,” Haggis said.

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Jury tells filmmaker Haggis to pay $10M total in rape suit
2 years, 1 month ago

Jury tells filmmaker Haggis to pay $10M total in rape suit

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Oscar-winning screenwriter Paul Haggis was ordered Monday to pay an additional $2.5 million in damages in a rape lawsuit, bringing the total to $10 million for a woman who said he sexually assaulted her nearly a decade ago. They got a quick course in movie financing as Haggis was questioned about his earnings on such films as …

Church of Scientology is on opposite ends of two celebrity rape cases in L.A., New York
2 years, 1 month ago

Church of Scientology is on opposite ends of two celebrity rape cases in L.A., New York

LA Times  

Screenwriter and director Paul Haggis, left, arrives at court for a sexual assault civil lawsuit on Nov. 2 in New York. The trials of “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson on one coast and “Crash” director Paul Haggis on the other have thrust Scientology — not a party to either case — into the spotlight, leaving the church embroiled in …

Jury orders Filmmaker Paul Haggis to pay $7.5M in rape suit
2 years, 1 month ago

Jury orders Filmmaker Paul Haggis to pay $7.5M in rape suit

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — A jury ordered Academy Award-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis Thursday to pay at least $7.5 million to a woman who accused him of rape in one of several #MeToo-era cases that have put Hollywood notables’ behavior on trial this fall. Veering from sex to red-carpet socializing to Scientology, the civil court trial pitted Haggis, known for writing best …

Filmmaker Haggis finishes testimony, denies claims by women
2 years, 1 month ago

Filmmaker Haggis finishes testimony, denies claims by women

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Filmmaker Paul Haggis choked up and wiped away tears while finishing his defense Friday from the witness stand against a civil trial rape claim by a publicist. After three days of testimony, the winner of Oscars for “Crash” and “Million Dollar Baby” was emotional as he described himself as “a very flawed human being.” He also said …

Filmmaker Haggis takes stand to ‘clear my name’ in rape suit
2 years, 1 month ago

Filmmaker Haggis takes stand to ‘clear my name’ in rape suit

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Filmmaker Paul Haggis told jurors Wednesday that he believed he had a consensual encounter with a woman who later accused him of rape, portraying himself as a “flirt” who acted on what he thought was mutual attraction. “For five years, I’ve been unable to clear my name, and now I will,” Haggis told jurors. Breest’s lawyers haven’t …

Haggis’ defense eyes accuser’s emails at rape lawsuit trial
2 years, 2 months ago

Haggis’ defense eyes accuser’s emails at rape lawsuit trial

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Filmmaker Paul Haggis’ defense sought Friday to undermine the credibility of a publicist who accused him of rape, with his attorneys suggesting a whiff of romantic interest in communications that his accuser says were just professionally friendly gestures. Cross-examining Haleigh Breest at the trial of her rape lawsuit, defense attorney Priya Chaudhry also challenged the accuser’s account …

Rape accuser testifies against filmmaker Paul Haggis
2 years, 2 months ago

Rape accuser testifies against filmmaker Paul Haggis

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — He was a famous moviemaker. In a steady, unsparing tone, Breest recounted what she said was a terrifying, painful attack that left her shocked and “really struggling to comprehend what had happened.” “I couldn’t understand how somebody who seemed like a nice guy would do that,” she said. “But just so you know,” she testified that she …

Suit over rape claim against filmmaker Haggis heads to trial
2 years, 2 months ago

Suit over rape claim against filmmaker Haggis heads to trial

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Opening statements are expected Wednesday in a civil case brought by a publicist who accused Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis of raping her almost a decade ago. At least four other women subsequently alleged that Haggis, a screenwriter known for “Crash” and “Million Dollar Baby,” sexually assaulted them or tried to do so. The church has said it …

Under house arrest in Italy, Paul Haggis will return to U.S. for sexual assault trial
2 years, 5 months ago

Under house arrest in Italy, Paul Haggis will return to U.S. for sexual assault trial

LA Times  

Paul Haggis, seen in 2008, will head to court in October after he was arrested on charges of sexual assault. “Crash” director Paul Haggis, who’s under house arrest in Italy after he was accused of assault this month, will head to New York City in the fall to begin a sexual assault trial stemming from separate allegations in a different …

Once a Hollywood golden boy, Paul Haggis now faces another sexual assault allegation
2 years, 6 months ago

Once a Hollywood golden boy, Paul Haggis now faces another sexual assault allegation

LA Times  

Paul Haggis, the Oscar-winning filmmaker who directed “Crash,” has been living under a cloud since a woman sued him in civil court in 2017, alleging he raped her years ago after they met at an industry party in New York City. First Oscar nomination Haggis is nominated for an Academy Award in the adapted screenplay category for writing director Clint …

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