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| Jury Says Paul Haggis Raped Woman After Film Premiere | Jury Says Paul Haggis Raped Woman After Film Premiere |
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| A jury on Thursday found the Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis liable for raping a former film industry publicist in his Manhattan apartment in 2013, ordering him to pay her at least $7.5 million. | A jury on Thursday found the Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis liable for raping a former film industry publicist in his Manhattan apartment in 2013, ordering him to pay her at least $7.5 million. |
| Mr. Haggis — who wrote “Million Dollar Baby” and co-wrote and directed “Crash,” consecutive best picture winners — met the plaintiff in the civil trial, Haleigh Breest, while she worked at film premiere events in New York. In a lawsuit filed in the early months of the #MeToo movement, she alleged that after one such event, Mr. Haggis invited her to his loft in SoHo, where he forced her to give him oral sex, penetrated her digitally and proceeded to rape her. | Mr. Haggis — who wrote “Million Dollar Baby” and co-wrote and directed “Crash,” consecutive best picture winners — met the plaintiff in the civil trial, Haleigh Breest, while she worked at film premiere events in New York. In a lawsuit filed in the early months of the #MeToo movement, she alleged that after one such event, Mr. Haggis invited her to his loft in SoHo, where he forced her to give him oral sex, penetrated her digitally and proceeded to rape her. |
| Mr. Haggis, 69, who also co-wrote two James Bond movies in the 2000s, asserted that the sexual encounter with Ms. Breest was consensual. He does not face criminal charges in the case. | Mr. Haggis, 69, who also co-wrote two James Bond movies in the 2000s, asserted that the sexual encounter with Ms. Breest was consensual. He does not face criminal charges in the case. |
| Ms. Breest, 36, brought her claim under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which the New York City Council passed in 2000. Lawyers for Mr. Haggis sought to get the claim thrown out, but an appeals court ruled that the law could be used to pursue sexual assault claims even if there was no other evidence the defendant had shown hatred of the victim’s gender. | Ms. Breest, 36, brought her claim under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which the New York City Council passed in 2000. Lawyers for Mr. Haggis sought to get the claim thrown out, but an appeals court ruled that the law could be used to pursue sexual assault claims even if there was no other evidence the defendant had shown hatred of the victim’s gender. |
| After deliberating for nearly six hours about whether the sexual encounter was coerced or consensual, a six-person jury found that the evidence weighed in favor of Ms. Breest, who testified that she felt pressure to go to Mr. Haggis’s apartment that night because of his stature in Hollywood. | After deliberating for nearly six hours about whether the sexual encounter was coerced or consensual, a six-person jury found that the evidence weighed in favor of Ms. Breest, who testified that she felt pressure to go to Mr. Haggis’s apartment that night because of his stature in Hollywood. |
| After the verdict was read, Mr. Haggis looked over at his daughters and mouthed, “It’s OK.” Outside the courtroom, Ms. Breest responded with two words: “Very grateful.” | After the verdict was read, Mr. Haggis looked over at his daughters and mouthed, “It’s OK.” Outside the courtroom, Ms. Breest responded with two words: “Very grateful.” |
| Ms. Breest was awarded $7.5 million in compensatory damages by the jurors, who must return to court on Monday to determine punitive damages. | Ms. Breest was awarded $7.5 million in compensatory damages by the jurors, who must return to court on Monday to determine punitive damages. |
| “I am grateful that I had the opportunity to seek justice and accountability in court — and that the jury chose to follow the facts — and believed me,” Ms. Breest added in a statement after the verdict. | “I am grateful that I had the opportunity to seek justice and accountability in court — and that the jury chose to follow the facts — and believed me,” Ms. Breest added in a statement after the verdict. |
| Mr. Haggis’s lead lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, said in a statement that the defense was “disappointed and shocked” by the verdict, accusing the plaintiff’s lawyers of portraying Mr. Haggis “as a monster” and lamenting the judge’s decision to allow testimony from four other women who have accused Mr. Haggis of sexual misconduct. | Mr. Haggis’s lead lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, said in a statement that the defense was “disappointed and shocked” by the verdict, accusing the plaintiff’s lawyers of portraying Mr. Haggis “as a monster” and lamenting the judge’s decision to allow testimony from four other women who have accused Mr. Haggis of sexual misconduct. |
| “No one could have had a fair trial in that courtroom under those circumstances,” Ms. Chaudhry said. “This is a shameful exploitation of the #MeToo movement where political sentiment trumps facts.” | “No one could have had a fair trial in that courtroom under those circumstances,” Ms. Chaudhry said. “This is a shameful exploitation of the #MeToo movement where political sentiment trumps facts.” |
| Earlier this year, in a separate case, Mr. Haggis was arrested in Italy on sexual assault charges and held in custody at a hotel for more than two weeks until a judge ordered his release. He has denied the charges, and prosecutors have not concluded their investigation. | Earlier this year, in a separate case, Mr. Haggis was arrested in Italy on sexual assault charges and held in custody at a hotel for more than two weeks until a judge ordered his release. He has denied the charges, and prosecutors have not concluded their investigation. |
| During a 15-day trial in Manhattan Supreme Court that included details from the nightlife of Hollywood’s elite and Mr. Haggis’s former life in the Church of Scientology, both Mr. Haggis and Ms. Breest testified extensively about their recollections of the night in question. | During a 15-day trial in Manhattan Supreme Court that included details from the nightlife of Hollywood’s elite and Mr. Haggis’s former life in the Church of Scientology, both Mr. Haggis and Ms. Breest testified extensively about their recollections of the night in question. |
| Ms. Breest’s lawyers sought to convince jurors that her communications shortly after the sexual encounter made clear that she had viewed it as an assault. The defense focused on messages she sent that took a more lighthearted tone, as well as others in which she expressed a desire to see Mr. Haggis again and initiated communication over email. | Ms. Breest’s lawyers sought to convince jurors that her communications shortly after the sexual encounter made clear that she had viewed it as an assault. The defense focused on messages she sent that took a more lighthearted tone, as well as others in which she expressed a desire to see Mr. Haggis again and initiated communication over email. |
| In text messages from Ms. Breest to a friend the day after the encounter, she said that Mr. Haggis had been “rough and aggressive” and that she had “kept saying no.” | In text messages from Ms. Breest to a friend the day after the encounter, she said that Mr. Haggis had been “rough and aggressive” and that she had “kept saying no.” |
| “I was like a trapped animal,” Ms. Breest testified. | “I was like a trapped animal,” Ms. Breest testified. |
| Of the four other women whom Judge Sabrina Kraus allowed to present testimony, one accused Mr. Haggis of raping her in the 1990s. The others alleged that Mr. Haggis made aggressive, unwanted sexual advances. One woman said he had groped her breasts as she tried to escape. | Of the four other women whom Judge Sabrina Kraus allowed to present testimony, one accused Mr. Haggis of raping her in the 1990s. The others alleged that Mr. Haggis made aggressive, unwanted sexual advances. One woman said he had groped her breasts as she tried to escape. |
| In his testimony, Mr. Haggis denied the rape and groping allegations and any inappropriate or aggressive behavior toward the women. The defense argued that Ms. Breest was lying about the encounter to extract money from the filmmaker during a time of heightened public sensitivity around sexual assault allegations, pointing to a text in which she told a friend, “I need to get something out of this at least.” | In his testimony, Mr. Haggis denied the rape and groping allegations and any inappropriate or aggressive behavior toward the women. The defense argued that Ms. Breest was lying about the encounter to extract money from the filmmaker during a time of heightened public sensitivity around sexual assault allegations, pointing to a text in which she told a friend, “I need to get something out of this at least.” |
| Much of the trial focused on the conflicting accounts of Jan. 31, 2013, when Ms. Breest was working as a freelance publicist at the premiere of the movie “Side Effects.” Mr. Haggis, a guest at the event, offered her a ride home and then invited her over to his apartment for a drink, she testified. When she suggested going to a bar instead, he insisted they go to his apartment and she agreed, recalling during the trial that she told him, “Just so you know, I’m not sleeping in SoHo tonight.” | Much of the trial focused on the conflicting accounts of Jan. 31, 2013, when Ms. Breest was working as a freelance publicist at the premiere of the movie “Side Effects.” Mr. Haggis, a guest at the event, offered her a ride home and then invited her over to his apartment for a drink, she testified. When she suggested going to a bar instead, he insisted they go to his apartment and she agreed, recalling during the trial that she told him, “Just so you know, I’m not sleeping in SoHo tonight.” |
| Ms. Breest testified that at his apartment, Mr. Haggis forcibly kissed her and later took off her tights despite her protests. After he forced her into oral sex and raped her, she said, she fell asleep before waking up early in the morning. | Ms. Breest testified that at his apartment, Mr. Haggis forcibly kissed her and later took off her tights despite her protests. After he forced her into oral sex and raped her, she said, she fell asleep before waking up early in the morning. |
| “I thought I was getting a ride home!” Ms. Breest texted her friend that day, to which the friend responded, “Naive !!!” | “I thought I was getting a ride home!” Ms. Breest texted her friend that day, to which the friend responded, “Naive !!!” |
| Mr. Haggis testified that he and Ms. Breest had flirted at industry events in the months before the encounter, interactions that she explained were just her “being nice.” He acknowledged that after he first kissed her in his apartment, she repeatedly said, “No, I shouldn’t,” but he described her demeanor as “teasing” and “a little like Betty Boop.” | Mr. Haggis testified that he and Ms. Breest had flirted at industry events in the months before the encounter, interactions that she explained were just her “being nice.” He acknowledged that after he first kissed her in his apartment, she repeatedly said, “No, I shouldn’t,” but he described her demeanor as “teasing” and “a little like Betty Boop.” |
| Because he felt like he was getting “mixed signals,” he testified, he made clear to her that she should not do anything she did not want to do. According to his testimony, Ms. Breest stayed and was “passionate” in the bedroom, where she initiated oral sex. | Because he felt like he was getting “mixed signals,” he testified, he made clear to her that she should not do anything she did not want to do. According to his testimony, Ms. Breest stayed and was “passionate” in the bedroom, where she initiated oral sex. |
| “She never gave me any indication that it was anything other than consensual,” Mr. Haggis testified. | “She never gave me any indication that it was anything other than consensual,” Mr. Haggis testified. |
| Early in the legal process, Mr. Haggis denied in court papers that he had sexual intercourse with Ms. Breest, before later saying he did not recall having intercourse. | Early in the legal process, Mr. Haggis denied in court papers that he had sexual intercourse with Ms. Breest, before later saying he did not recall having intercourse. |
| Ms. Chaudhry questioned him on his suspicion that the Church of Scientology was behind all of the sexual misconduct allegations against him, highlighting a line from a 2011 New Yorker article about the filmmaker’s break from the church: “My bet is that, within two years, you’re going to read something about me in a scandal that looks like it has nothing to do with the church.” | Ms. Chaudhry questioned him on his suspicion that the Church of Scientology was behind all of the sexual misconduct allegations against him, highlighting a line from a 2011 New Yorker article about the filmmaker’s break from the church: “My bet is that, within two years, you’re going to read something about me in a scandal that looks like it has nothing to do with the church.” |
| Mr. Haggis, who acknowledged on the stand that there was no evidence linking Ms. Breest to Scientology, was a prominent member of the church before becoming an outspoken critic. “These people don’t leave their fingerprints,” he testified. (Ms. Breest vehemently denies any connection, as did the church in a statement.) | Mr. Haggis, who acknowledged on the stand that there was no evidence linking Ms. Breest to Scientology, was a prominent member of the church before becoming an outspoken critic. “These people don’t leave their fingerprints,” he testified. (Ms. Breest vehemently denies any connection, as did the church in a statement.) |
| How Ms. Breest and Mr. Haggis reacted to their encounter was a key part of their testimony, with his lawyers pointing to messages that they said implied she did not initially view the encounter as forced. | How Ms. Breest and Mr. Haggis reacted to their encounter was a key part of their testimony, with his lawyers pointing to messages that they said implied she did not initially view the encounter as forced. |
| “I don’t care too much I just hope I don’t now have diseases!!” Ms. Breest texted a friend about the encounter. On the witness stand, Ms. Breest elaborated on her thoughts at the time: “I cared a great deal. I was minimizing.” | “I don’t care too much I just hope I don’t now have diseases!!” Ms. Breest texted a friend about the encounter. On the witness stand, Ms. Breest elaborated on her thoughts at the time: “I cared a great deal. I was minimizing.” |
| Ms. Breest, who kept the tights she wore that night as potential evidence, visited Planned Parenthood about a month after the encounter to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases, she testified. According to a questionnaire she filled out at the visit, which her lawyers showed the jury, Ms. Breest marked “yes” when asked if she had ever been forced into a sexual act — which, she testified, referred to her encounter with Mr. Haggis. | Ms. Breest, who kept the tights she wore that night as potential evidence, visited Planned Parenthood about a month after the encounter to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases, she testified. According to a questionnaire she filled out at the visit, which her lawyers showed the jury, Ms. Breest marked “yes” when asked if she had ever been forced into a sexual act — which, she testified, referred to her encounter with Mr. Haggis. |
| A psychotherapist who had begun treating Ms. Breest in June 2017, several months before she filed the lawsuit, testified that Ms. Breest recounted the night to her during therapy, sharing that Mr. Haggis had raped her after she agreed to have a drink with him, thinking at first that it was a “friendly networking opportunity.” | A psychotherapist who had begun treating Ms. Breest in June 2017, several months before she filed the lawsuit, testified that Ms. Breest recounted the night to her during therapy, sharing that Mr. Haggis had raped her after she agreed to have a drink with him, thinking at first that it was a “friendly networking opportunity.” |
| Ms. Breest, who was represented by Ilann M. Maazel and Zoe Salzman, said in court that she had not gone to the police because she was concerned that they might “mess something up.” | |
| Because it was a civil trial, the jurors did not need to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Haggis had raped Ms. Breest; they were asked if Ms. Breest had proven her claim with the greater weight of the evidence. Under the rules of the state court, five out of the six jurors needed to agree on a verdict. | Because it was a civil trial, the jurors did not need to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Haggis had raped Ms. Breest; they were asked if Ms. Breest had proven her claim with the greater weight of the evidence. Under the rules of the state court, five out of the six jurors needed to agree on a verdict. |
| Ms. Breest began her legal case after seeing Mr. Haggis denounce the film producer Harvey Weinstein when accounts of his sexual harassment and abuse were published in The New York Times. | Ms. Breest began her legal case after seeing Mr. Haggis denounce the film producer Harvey Weinstein when accounts of his sexual harassment and abuse were published in The New York Times. |
| “It is the definition of hypocrisy,” Ms. Breest testified in regard to Mr. Haggis. “This man raped me and he is presenting himself as a champion of women.” | “It is the definition of hypocrisy,” Ms. Breest testified in regard to Mr. Haggis. “This man raped me and he is presenting himself as a champion of women.” |