CNN
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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 at the very least $7.5 million in damages Thursday, in accordance 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, instructed CNN by telephone, “We’re grateful. We’re grateful. The jury was methodical and did justice at this time. We’re proud, not only for Haleigh however for all the #MeToo motion.”
In a press release to CNN, Haggis’s lawyer, Priya Chaudhry mentioned, “We’re disenchanted and shocked by this verdict.”
“It was not possible for Mr. Haggis to get a good trial as soon as the choose allowed the statements of 4 different girls 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 hearth’ technique. Nobody might 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 condo when she was 26 years previous – “lower than half Mr. Haggis’s age,” in accordance with the grievance filed within the state Supreme Court docket’s department in New York County in 2017.
“The emotional and psychological harm to Ms. Breest from the assault can’t be overstated: it has been profound and lasting,” the grievance mentioned.
The incident occurred after Haggis and Breest had been at a film premiere, in accordance with the grievance. Towards the tip of the occasion, Haggis supplied Breest a journey dwelling, the grievance alleges.
As soon as in his automobile, Haggis invited Breest over for a drink.
“Ms. Breest instructed him she was keen to go to a public bar, however acknowledged she didn’t need to go to his condo. Mr. Haggis insisted they go to his condo,” the grievance mentioned.
Breest “relented” after being “confronted along with his persistence” and after recognizing that he was a “highly effective member of the Hollywood elite who might affect her profession,” in accordance with the grievance.
The grievance alleges that Haggis made undesirable sexual advances and forcibly kissed her.
“She repeatedly instructed him ‘No’ however he wouldn’t cease,” the grievance mentioned.
Haggis obtained Breest into the bed room the place he pressured himself on her and in the end raped her regardless of her efforts to push him off, the grievance alleges.
Maazel instructed CNN that the punitive harm trial will doubtless 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 finest image and finest 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 12 months whereas he was there to attend a movie pageant. An lawyer for Haggis denied the allegations.
