Paul Haggis was ordered by a Manhattan civil court to pay $2.5 million more in punitive damages for a publicist who had accused him of rape. This brings her total award to $10,000,000 after the Oscar-winning jury found Haggis guilty. “Crash”Director held responsible for sexually assaulting her in 2013.
Jurors heard testimony about Haggis’ finances before determining the additional award Monday. Haggis claimed in court filings, that he has already filed for bankruptcy before the trial began. “financially ruined”Haleigh Breest’s civil lawsuit was dismissed.
Haggis, a former freelance events publicist, accused her of forcing her to go to his apartment after a movie premiere. He was a VIP guest. She was then forced to have oral sex with him and raped her. Haggis stated that it was a consensual encounter.
Four additional women provided testimony and depositions that described similar encounters with Haggis. The same jury of six people decided last week that Breest’s account was credible enough for a monetary award, though no jail time or other penalties were on the table in the civil matter.
On Thursday, Breest was awarded $7.5million in compensatory damages.
Haggis was quizzed about his earnings. “Crash,”As well as screenwriting success “Million Dollar Baby,” “Casino Royale” “Quantum of Solace.” He told the jury he had made something like $25 million over the course of his career – but that was before taxes, agency fees and losses from two divorces.
He said after Breest’s allegations, he got a few rewriting jobs here and there, but that now “I will never work as a writer until I clear my name.”
More to come …