'Crash' Director, Paul Haggis, Accused Of Sexual Misconduct And Rape By Four Women
Paul Haggis, the Oscar-winning director who wrote the films: Crash and Million Dollar Baby, is being accused of sexual misconduct by four different women. Two of the women alleged that they were raped by Haggis.
Haggis' Million Dollar Dilemma
Three women, who have chosen to remain anonymous, have recently chosen to speak out against Canadian director in separate interviews to the AP Press. The women stated that they found the courage to recount what happened to them after publicist, Haleigh Breest, filed a civil lawsuit against the director, claiming he raped her.
One of the three accusers claimed that Haggis asked her to perform oral sex on him and then proceeded to rape her. The victim was 28 years old at the time when Haggis asked to preview her photos from a previous show.
"I thought it was odd, but I agreed. He was the ultimate boss. I didn't feel inclined to say no," the accuser stated.
When she arrived at his office, no one else was present. The woman states that Haggis suggested they speak in the back office. Once there, Haggis began kissing on her and violently forced himself on her.
"I just pulled away. He was just glaring at me and came at me again. I was really resisting. He said to me, 'Do you really want to continue working?' And then he really forced himself on me. I was just numb. I didn't know what to do," she continued.
Breest alleges in her lawsuit that Haggis raped her in Jan. 31, 2013 in a New York City apartment. In the lawsuit, the publicist stated that Haggis forced Breest into the bedroom where he became sexually aggressive with her. She then stated that he forced her to perform oral sex on him, fondled her, and then raped her.
The Terminator Salvation writer has denied the new allegations against him through his lawyer, Christine Lepera. Lepera also stated that the director denied Breest's allegations against him and that she and her lawyer tried to extort him for $9 million.
Haggis was also the co-creator of the popular television series, Walker, Texas Ranger. Haggis won an Academy Award for the films Crash, Million Dollar Baby, and Letters from Iwo Jima.
Haggis most recent film, Gold, premiered on Jan. 27, 2017, which starred: Matthew McConaughey, Édgar Ramírez, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Craig T. Nelson.
