Deliberations in Paul Haggis rape lawsuit set to start
2 years, 4 months ago

Deliberations in Paul Haggis rape lawsuit set to start

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jury deliberations are due to start Thursday in a rape civil case against filmmaker Paul Haggis, tasking a six-person panel with sifting through dueling narratives about what happened between him and a publicist on a night in 2013. “This lawsuit has utterly destroyed him,” defense lawyer Priya Chaudhry said in her closing argument, urging jurors to “set Paul free of these false allegations.” Breest sued Haggis in 2017; she never brought her allegations to police or prosecutors. Chaudhry portrays Breest as a star-struck young woman who was excited about her night with the screenwriter-director, became disappointed that he didn't ask her out again and twisted “a consensual, somewhat awkward one-night stand” into a sexual assault to try to get a payout — and payback. Besides Breest, four other women testified that Haggis sexually assaulted them at separate points going back to the 1990s — claims that he denies and his lawyer suggested were manufactured to bolster Breest's lawsuit.

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History of this topic

Jury tells filmmaker Haggis to pay $10M total in rape suit
2 years, 4 months 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 …

Jury orders Filmmaker Paul Haggis to pay $7.5M in rape suit
2 years, 4 months 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, 4 months 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 says he never forced himself on publicist
2 years, 4 months 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 …

Filmmaker Haggis takes stand to ‘clear my name’ in rape suit
2 years, 4 months 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, 5 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, 5 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 …

Rape allegations aired against ‘70s Show’ actor Masterson
2 years, 5 months ago

Rape allegations aired against ‘70s Show’ actor Masterson

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — A prosecutor on Tuesday described rape allegations by three women against “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson from two decades ago that contained some of the same disturbing elements. Two women became woozy or passed out after a couple drinks and were tossed in his hot tub, Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller said in his opening statement …

Suit over rape claim against filmmaker Haggis heads to trial
2 years, 5 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 …

Director Paul Haggis admits to ‘errors in judgment’ in Italian sex-abuse case
2 years, 8 months ago

Director Paul Haggis admits to ‘errors in judgment’ in Italian sex-abuse case

LA Times  

Director Paul Haggis is speaking out amid his ongoing sexual-abuse case in Italy as prosecutors there are trying to put him back under house arrest. “Being accused of sexual violence, something that I did not do, was devastating and something I hope no innocent person will ever experience,” Haggis said in a translated interview, which the Italian outlet published Tuesday. …

Under house arrest in Italy, Paul Haggis will return to U.S. for sexual assault trial
2 years, 9 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 …

Paul Haggis drops lawsuit against woman who says he raped her
6 years ago

Paul Haggis drops lawsuit against woman who says he raped her

LA Times  

Oscar winner Paul Haggis on Wednesday dropped his lawsuit without explanation in a letter sent to New York’s Supreme Court. Paul Haggis, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind “Crash,” has abandoned his lawsuit against the woman who accused him of raping her in his New York apartment in 2013. Haggis also claimed he couldn’t have raped her due to “a serious …

Filmmaker Paul Haggis' Ex-Wife Defends Him Against Rape Accusations
7 years, 2 months ago

Filmmaker Paul Haggis' Ex-Wife Defends Him Against Rape Accusations

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The former wife of filmmaker Paul Haggis is defending him against accusations that he sexually assaulted at least four women. In a statement to Deadline.com on Thursday, Deborah Rennard said she has come forward because while she has “an unwavering support for the brave women, and some men, who have come forward to speak out against sexual …

Paul Haggis: Oscar-winning director denies rape and sexual misconduct allegations made by four women
7 years, 2 months ago

Paul Haggis: Oscar-winning director denies rape and sexual misconduct allegations made by four women

The Independent  

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis has been accused of sexual misconduct against three …

Oscar-winning filmmaker Haggis accused of rape, sex assault
7 years, 2 months ago

Oscar-winning filmmaker Haggis accused of rape, sex assault

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — A civil lawsuit charging Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis with raping a publicist has prompted three additional women to come forward with their own sexual misconduct accusations, including another publicist who says he forced her to perform oral sex, then raped her. When asked about the new accusations, Christine Lepera, attorney for the 64-year-old screenwriter of “Million Dollar …

"Crash" director Paul Haggis accused of sexual misconduct by 4 women, 2 claiming rape
7 years, 2 months ago

"Crash" director Paul Haggis accused of sexual misconduct by 4 women, 2 claiming rape

Salon  

Four women have come forward accusing filmmaker Paul Haggis, 64, of sexual assault. "Another of the new accusers said Haggis held down her arms, forcibly kissed her on a street corner, then followed her into a taxi," the AP wrote. The AP said that Friday, "Breest’s attorneys filed an amended complaint that includes details of the allegations lodged by the …

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