Filmmaker Paul Haggis ordered to pay $2.5 million more in rape lawsuit – National

Oscar-winning screenwriter Paul Haggis was ordered Monday to pay an additional $2.5 million in damages in a rape lawsuit, bringing the total to 10 million for women who claimed they were sexually assaulted nearly a decade ago. reached the dollar.

Lawyers for accuser Haley Brest called the verdict justified, but Haggis argued that he had been falsely accused and was financially ruined by fighting a civil suit. I swore.

“I can’t stand this lie. I will die to clear my name,” he said as he left the court.

Publicist Brest said Haggis raped her on January 31, 2013 and forced her to perform oral sex at his apartment in New York.

A jury last week sided with Brest and ruled that she should be awarded $7.5 million in damages, along with punitive damages. After hearing the testimony, I decided how much he had to pay.

They got a brief course on film financing, as Haggis was questioned about his income from films such as Best Picture at the Oscars. crash When million dollar babyand James Bond flicks Casino Royale When Quantum of comfort.

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Explaining the intricacies of a screenwriter’s pay, he said that in his 40 years in television and film, he earned $25 million, after taxes, agent and other representative fees, and splitting his assets with his two ex-wives. I estimate that I earned a dollar.

The 69-year-old filmmaker told a hearing Monday that he had suffered a range of financial losses over the years, including the collapse of his poorly insured home in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. But he said the Brest lawsuit wiped him out. His legal costs exceeded his $2.6 million and his career suddenly dried up, he said.

“I have used up all the money at my disposal. I have, in a very naive belief in justice, broken my pension system and lived on loans to pay for this lawsuit,” he said in court. said outside.

Brest’s lawyers questioned Haggis’ claims of bankruptcy.

“You can’t trust anything Paul Haggis says,” said attorney Ilan Maazel.

After the verdict, he said the jury “did the right thing”. The jury left the court without comment.

Brest, 36, said he was professionally and psychologically harmed after being invited to a drinking party at his apartment after a movie premiere.

She declined to comment on Monday. He said.

She sued for unspecified damages. No criminal charges were filed against Haggis in this case.

The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless, like Brest, they come forward publicly.

© 2022 The Canadian Press