Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis accused of raping two women

Four women have accused Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis of sexual assault, the Associated Press reported Friday.

Two of the accusers said Haggis, the screenwriter behind “Million Dollar Baby” and “Crash,” raped them. Another two said Haggis tried to forcibly kiss them, then physically pursued them when they tried to leave. Both women say they managed to get into cars and escape the situation.

Three of the women spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, and the fourth filed a civil lawsuit accusing Haggis of rape last month. That woman, identified as Haleigh Breest in court papers, said decided to come forward after she saw an interview Haggis gave to the Guardian where he denounced Harvey Weinstein.

“Although everyone thinks it is vile behaviour, you have got to focus on those who may have colluded and protected him,” Haggis told the Guardian at the time. “For me, they are as guilty as he is and in some cases more so, if I can say that. I mean, he was a predator and a predator is a predator. But what about those who would rather look the other way?”

That comment, the lawsuit says, outraged Breest.

“The truth she knows and has lived is that behind the facade of these comments lies another predator, a man willing to force himself on a young woman less than half his age and take pleasure in the fear and pain he caused her,” it reads. “Ms. Breest will not look the other way any longer.”

According to her lawsuit, Breest was in her twenties and working as a publicist in the entertainment industry when she ended up having drinks with Haggis, then in his sixties, at an industry event in 2013. He offered to drive her home, then insisted that she come up to his apartment for a drink.

“Recognizing that Mr. Haggis was a powerful member of the Hollywood elite who could influence her career, and faced with his persistence, Ms. Breest ultimately relented and went with Mr. Haggis to his Mercer Street residence,” the lawsuit reads.

Once the pair entered Haggis’ apartment, the lawsuit alleges that Haggis got violent: He ripped off Breest’s tights, forced her to give him oral sex, asked if she liked anal sex, and then raped her. Breest eventually lost consciousness; when she woke up, she quickly left the apartment. Her lawsuit alleges that she later suffered from “lack of confidence, anxiety, and body image issues,” and was ultimately diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

An attorney for Haggis denied the allegations, telling the Associated Press, “He didn’t rape anybody.” Haggis has filed a counter-complaint to the civil lawsuit, alleging that Breest and her lawyers said they’d resort to legal action unless he handed over “a seven figure pay day.”

In that counter-lawsuit, Haggis contends in that at the time of the alleged assault on Breest, he’d recently had surgery for a “well-documented serious back problem,” which would’ve prevented him from using such force.