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Million Dollar Baby screenwriter Paul Haggis loses New York rape case

Million Dollar Baby screenwriter Paul Haggis loses New York rape case

The 69-year-old was accused in 2017 by film publicist Haleigh Breest of abusing and raping her in 2013, when she was 26 years old.
11 Nov, 2022

A New York jury on Thursday found Oscar-winning Canadian filmmaker Paul Haggis liable for raping a publicist in 2013, ordering him to pay her at least $7.5 million in damages.

The jurors ruled against Haggis, who wrote and directed Crash, in the rape lawsuit following a two-week civil trial in Manhattan, US media reported.

The 69-year-old was accused in 2017 by film publicist Haleigh Breest of abusing and raping her in 2013, when she was 26 years old.

With the Me Too movement gaining ground, three more women subsequently accused Haggis — who also penned the screenplay for Million Dollar Baby — of sexual assault.

More recently, Haggis was arrested in June in southern Italy on suspicion of aggravated sexual assault in a different case. He denied any wrongdoing and was soon released.

In her suit, Breest said that on the evening of January 31, 2013, after a film screening in Manhattan, the director insisted she have a drink at his home, even though she preferred to go to a bar.

Once in his apartment, Haggis made multiple advances before making her perform oral sex and then raping her, she says.

During the trial, the filmmaker’s lawyers suggested that Breest’s suit was guided by the Church of Scientology, which Haggis left and has since criticised, according to US media.

The plaintiff’s lawyers denied the accusation.

Haggis does not face criminal charges in the case.

Known for being one of the creators of the Walker Texas Ranger television series, Haggis received an Oscar for best picture and best original screenplay in 2006 for Crash.

He was additionally the screenwriter for Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima, as well as James Bond films Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

Comments

Zak Nov 11, 2022 12:03pm
With so much money and fame why do they have to stoop so low?
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Nov 11, 2022 12:20pm
As you sow, so shall you reap.
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S. Nasheed Ahmed Nov 11, 2022 12:41pm
Any rich & famous man is at a high risk of being accused & extorted by 'Me Too' activists.
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Jam Nov 11, 2022 04:32pm
How come people believe women when they go in their home with their own choice. It's greed & lies. No one can do anything unless woman herself does not show approval.
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FAZ Nov 11, 2022 07:48pm
@Zak A show of dominance. Money corrupts in many ways.
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Sama Nov 11, 2022 11:12pm
@Jam really ? " no one can do anything unless woman shows approval"????????.?? Are you for real? All the women who are raped brutally showed "approval"???? Time to come out of your cave
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Sama Nov 11, 2022 11:13pm
@Jam so all the rapists have been shown "approval" by the women involved???? Did you get a chance to get ANY education?
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