A jury has discovered filmmaker Paul Haggis liable in a sexual assault case involving a former publicist

Muricas News  — 

A jury discovered filmmaker Paul Haggis liable in a sexual assault case that was introduced ahead by a former publicist who alleged he raped her after a film premiere in 2013.

The jury ordered the Oscar-winning screenwriter to pay Haleigh Breest no less than $7.5 million in damages Thursday, in keeping with attorneys for each Breest and Haggis.

Breest introduced the case below the New York Metropolis Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Safety Act.

Lawyer Ilann Maazel, who represents Breest, informed Muricas News by cellphone, “We’re grateful. We’re grateful. The jury was methodical and did justice right now. We're proud, not only for Haleigh however for the complete #MeToo motion.”

In an announcement to Muricas News, Haggis’s lawyer, Priya Chaudhry mentioned, “We're disillusioned and shocked by this verdict.”

“It was unimaginable for Mr. Haggis to get a good trial as soon as the choose allowed the statements of 4 different ladies who by no means went to the police, by no means took any motion in opposition to him, and three of 4 by no means even got here into the courtroom,” the lawyer added. “They used this to distort the reality, assassinate Mr. Haggis’ character, paint him as a monster, and use a ‘the place there’s smoke, there’s fireplace’ technique. Nobody may have had a good trial in that courtroom below these circumstances. This can be a shameful exploitation of the #MeToo motion the place political sentiment trumps information.”

Breest alleged that Haggis sexually assaulted her on the night of January 31, 2013, in his Manhattan house when she was 26 years outdated – “lower than half Mr. Haggis’s age,” in keeping with the criticism filed within the state Supreme Court docket’s department in New York County in 2017.

“The emotional and psychological injury to Ms. Breest from the assault can't be overstated: it has been profound and lasting,” the criticism mentioned.

The incident occurred after Haggis and Breest had been at a film premiere, in keeping with the criticism. Towards the tip of the occasion, Haggis provided Breest a journey house, the criticism alleges.

As soon as in his car, Haggis invited Breest over for a drink.

“Ms. Breest informed him she was prepared to go to a public bar, however said she didn't wish to go to his house. Mr. Haggis insisted they go to his house,” the criticism mentioned.

Breest “relented” after being “confronted together with his persistence” and after recognizing that he was a “highly effective member of the Hollywood elite who may affect her profession,” in keeping with the criticism.

The criticism alleges that Haggis made undesirable sexual advances and forcibly kissed her.

“She repeatedly informed him ‘No’ however he wouldn't cease,” the criticism mentioned.

Haggis received Breest into the bed room the place he pressured himself on her and finally raped her regardless of her efforts to push him off, the criticism alleges.

Maazel informed Muricas News that the punitive injury trial will possible proceed Monday the place he expects Haggis to take the stand.

Haggis is a director, producer and screenwriter. His movie credit embody “Crash,” which earned him Oscars for greatest image and greatest unique screenplay on the 2006 Academy Awards. He additionally acquired a nomination for his screenplay for the multi-Oscar-winning “Million Greenback Child.”

The filmmaker was detained in Italy over sexual assault allegations earlier this yr whereas he was there to attend a movie pageant. An lawyer for Haggis denied the allegations.