Paul Haggis sues Haleigh Breest after she accuses him of rape and demands $9,000,000

Paul Haggis Sues Woman He Claims Threatened Him with Sexual Assault Allegations

By Daniel Goldblatt, and Ryan Naumann, The Blast, December 15, 2017

Quote:

Paul Haggis is striking first against a woman he claims has been trying to shake him down for money over an alleged sexual assault he claims never happened.

According to a lawsuit obtained by The Blast, Haggis claims he was recently approached by an attorney for a woman named Haleigh Breest. Haggis says the woman was claiming that he committed an act of “gender violence” against her five years prior.

Haggis says the letter contained a lawsuit that had not yet been filed and instructed Haggis to contact her attorneys “if he was ‘interested in discussing a resolution of this matter without resort to litigation.'”

The “Crash” director says that during a phone call a few weeks later, the attorney demanded a payment of $9,000,000.

Haggis says in the lawsuit that, among other things, he could not have committed any act of violence at the time in question because he had serious back problems at the time of the alleged incident and even had surgery shortly before the day in question.

As for why he decided to act first, Haggis said he has been on the receiving end of many false accusations stemming from his criticisms of Scientology. Because of that, he says he “is not going to allow the false narrative threatened by the Defendant to frighten him into capitulating to these outrageous and wholly baseless demands, and is instead going to confront his accuser and seek all available remedies for the harm she has inflicted (and intends to continue to inflict) on him.”

He also says at one point, “Defendant’s threatened statements were designed to inflict the utmost terror upon Plaintiff, and were presented in the most graphically lurid (false) ways. The tactic of using such extreme emotional abuse was clearly designed to best insure [sic] the ransom would be paid.”

The two-time Oscar winner says in the lawsuit he knew Breest because she worked as a publicist for a company that hosts events for clients in the film industry. Haggis says the two “occasionally interacted at film-industry events and developed what [Breest] believed was a friendly, and at times flirtatious, relationship.”

Haggis is seeking unspecified damages.

The Blast reached out to a number for Breest, but the woman who answered hung up on us.

Source: https://theblast.com/paul-haggis-sexual-assault-lawsuit/

Oscar winner Paul Haggis files a lawsuit against woman 'extorting him over fake sex assault' but could the Church of Scientology be behind the allegations? | Daily Mail

• The director and screenwriter says he was recently approached by an attorney
• The attorney says he represents a woman named Haleigh Breest who said that Haggis committed an act of 'gender violence' against her five years ago
• Haggis said after he contacted the attorney, he demanded $9million to drop the litigation
• Haggis said the lawsuit may be retribution orchestrated by the church of Scientology, an organization he left in 2009 after being a member for 35 years

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...iles-lawsuit-against-alleged-blackmailer.html

Paul Haggis Denies Rape Claims By Publicist; Calls It “Public Hanging” | Deadline

http://deadline.com/2017/12/paul-haggis-denies-rape-allegation-lawsuit-1202228350/

Filmmaker Paul Haggis claims publicist tried to blackmail him with fake sex assault accusations | New York Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...uit-fake-sex-assault-claims-article-1.3701932

Paul Haggis suing NYC publicist over sex assault claims | Page Six

https://pagesix.com/2017/12/15/filmmaker-paul-haggis-suing-a-publicist-over-sex-assault-claims/

Paul Haggis Is Sued For Alleged Rape, Claims a $9 Million Shakedown | Variety

http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/paul-haggis-haleigh-breest-lawsuits-1202642729/

Could this be a way for scientology to get back at Haggis? When it comes to the scienos, nothing surprises me anymore...

Paul Haggis Strongly Denies Trio Of New Sexual Misconduct Allegations | Deadline

Quote:

Facing fresh allegations of sexual misconduct, Paul Haggis today postulated that the new charges were a tactic to force a mutimillion dollar settlement or the result of his long estrangement from Scientology.

<snipped>

Here’s Haggis’ full statement:

Mr. Haggis denies these anonymous claims in whole.

In a society where one of a person’s fundamental rights is the ability to confront an accuser, that right has now been eviscerated when it comes to anyone being charged in the press with any sort of sexual misconduct.

Notably, no one has reached out to anyone on Mr. Haggis’ team other than the press to report this.

He views the fact that these reports appear to be spearheaded from the law-firm representing Ms. Breest, as a further tactic to try to harm him and continue their effort to obtain money.

Mr. Haggis also questions whether Scientology has any role here, which he notes has been attacking him for years with false accusations.

We reiterate our claim against Ms. Breest, and note again that we initiated the legal proceedings, not Ms. Breest.

More at http://deadline.com/2018/01/paul-ha...isconduct-allegations-scientology-1202236560/

The word Scientology is found in all of these reports:

Four women have now accused director Paul Haggis of sexual misconduct and rape | A.V. Club

https://www.avclub.com/four-women-have-now-accused-director-paul-haggis-of-sex-1821818488

"Crash" Director Paul Haggis Is Now Being Accused Of Sexual Misconduct By Four Women | BuzzFeed

https://www.buzzfeed.com/marcusjones/crash-director-paul-haggis-is-now-being-accused-of-sexual

4 women accuse filmmaker Paul Haggis of sexual misconduct | Canadian Press

https://www.baytoday.ca/world-news/4-women-accuse-filmmaker-paul-haggis-of-sexual-misconduct-806029

Canadian filmmaker Paul Haggis faces more allegations of sexual misconduct | CBC

http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/paul-haggis-sexual-misconduct-allegations-1.4475244

4 women accuse Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis of sexual misconduct | CBS News

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/4-wome...duct-known-for-crash-and-million-dollar-baby/

Four women accuse Oscar winning Canadian director Paul Haggis of sexual assault | CTV News

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/four-wo...ector-paul-haggis-of-sexual-assault-1.3747532

Oscar winning writer, director Paul Haggis accused of sexual assault by four women | Hot Air

https://hotair.com/archives/2018/01...aul-haggis-accused-sexual-assault-four-women/

3 More Women Accuse Director Paul Haggis Of Sexual Harassment And Rape | HuffPost

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entr...rassment-and-rape_us_5a4fd72fe4b01e1a4b14fa90

‘Crash’ Filmmaker Paul Haggis Denies Sexual Misconduct Allegations | Just Jared

http://www.justjared.com/2018/01/05...-haggis-denies-sexual-misconduct-allegations/

4 women accuse Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis of sexual misconduct | NBC News

https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/s...irector-paul-haggis-sexual-misconduct-n835046

Paul Haggis suspects Church of Scientology is behind sexual misconduct claims | Page Six

https://pagesix.com/2018/01/05/paul...ientology-is-behind-sexual-misconduct-claims/

Director Paul Haggis Accused of Rape, Sexual Misconduct by Multiple Women | PEOPLE

http://people.com/movies/director-paul-haggis-accused-of-rape-sexual-misconduct-by-multiple-women/

'Crash' Director Paul Haggis Accused Sexual Misconduct by Four Women | Pop Culture

http://popculture.com/celebrity/2018/01/05/crash-director-paul-haggis-sexual-misconduct-four-women/

Paul Haggis Accused of Rape, Misconduct by Multiple Women | Rolling Stone

https://www.rollingstone.com/cultur...-of-rape-misconduct-by-multiple-women-w515055

“Crash” director Paul Haggis accused of sexual misconduct by 4 women, 2 claiming rape | Salon

https://www.salon.com/2018/01/05/cr...sexual-misconduct-by-4-women-2-claiming-rape/

Four Women Accuse Director Paul Haggis of Sexual Misconduct, Including 2 Rapes | SPIN

https://www.spin.com/2018/01/paul-haggis-rape-allegations/

Oscar-winning filmmaker Haggis accused of rape, sex assault | Stuff.co.nz

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainme...-filmmaker-haggis-accused-of-rape-sex-assault

Paul Haggis Accused Of Sexual Misconduct, Including Two Rapes | Uproxx

http://uproxx.com/news/paul-haggis-accused-sexual-misconduct-rape/

'Crash' Director Paul Haggis Accused of Multiple Rapes | VICE

https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/mbp97v/paul-haggis-sexual-assault-vgtrn

I guess we'll see where the evidence leads.

According to the article I read, the women have witnesses that they told about being raped. So either it's a grand conspiracy, perhaps orchestrated by the scientology corporation, or it really happened.

When I first heard of the accusations, I immediately thought of CoS and their possible taking advantage of the sexual allegations trend that's hot in the news. I wouldn't put it past them.

I tried to search if Haleigh Breest was a Scientologist, but didn't come up with anything. Anyone better at the internet than me have that information?

Also, Hi! Not dead. Still enjoying watching CoS fall apart, just haven't visited the forums lately. How are you buggers?

Isn't he gay?

No

Paul Haggis Facing Rape Accuser’s Lawyers; Dumped By Charity

By Dominic Patten, Deadline, January 9, 2018

Quote:

In what looks to be the first face-to-face in a case of alleged sexual assault in Hollywood’s post-Harvey Weinstein era, Paul Haggis will be grilled by his accuser’s lawyers later this month in a deposition by the Oscar-winning director.

Being both filmed and recorded on January 29 at the NYC offices of Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady LLP, the sit-down also comes as the now multiple accused Haggis was called a “disgrace” by Haleigh Breest this week. The comment was one among many scathing assertions in the publicist’s response to Haggis’ preemptive legal action late last year against Breest’s claims he raped her in 2013 in his Manhattan apartment. The Crash helmer said that he had to go after Breest first as she was threatening to go after him if Haggis didn’t hand over a $9 million payment.

Now joined by a trio of other women with allegations of their own against the Million Dollar Baby screenwriter, Breest filed her own lawsuit in mid-December in what she and her attorneys call “a shocking and egregious case of rape and sexual assault.”

“The only thing worse than raping a woman is raping her, then suing her for trying to stand up for herself,” said Breest in the January 8 filing in New York Supreme Court (read it here). “Mr. Haggis’ complaint is a disgrace. It says nothing about what happened on January 31, 2013. It fails to deny any of the horrific details of what happened in Mr. Haggis’ apartment. It is not even a sworn statement,” the six-page response adds.

“It is nothing more than a PR stunt and an attempt to silence and intimidate Mr. Haggis victim. Shame on him.”

Weaving in his former faith of Scientology, his charity work, back problems and estimations that he and Breest had a “friendly, and at times flirtatious, relationship” at the time, Haggis has denied the initial allegations. As well as spotlighting a supposed shakedown from Breest, Haggis has also rejected the claims of the other three women who came forward earlier this month. Again, Scientology, which Haggis left in less than rosy circumstances in 2009 after 30 years was mentioned.

“Mr. Haggis also questions whether Scientology has any role here, which he notes has been attacking him for years with false accusations,” his reps said at the time. Haggis’ team did not responded today to a request for comment on Breest’s filed reply of yesterday.

However, Artists for Peace and Justice have seemingly replied in a fashion to the accusation surrounding Haggis. Even though he was a founder of the non-profit nine years ago and noted on the APJ website up until late last year as a board member, Haggis’ name is now nowhere to be seen now.

Like Haggis’ reps today, the poverty fighting organization on Tuesday did not reply to requests from Deadline on why the director was no longer on the board with Olivia Wilde, Ben Stiller, Madeleine Stowe and others.

In both his action against Breest and her’s against him, Haggis is represented by lawyers at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP.

Source: http://deadline.com/2018/01/paul-ha...al-misconduct-scientology-charity-1202239684/

Deborah Rennard Defends Ex-Husband Paul Haggis Against Rape Allegation

By Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, January 11, 2018

Quote:

EXCLUSIVE: In the wake of several women coming forward with sexual assault allegations against Crash director Paul Haggis — charges he has denied — the filmmaker’s ex-wife asked Deadline to add her voice to the narrative, in support of her ex-husband. Deborah Rennard, a former actress perhaps best known for playing JR Ewing’s loyal secretary on Dallas, was married 12 years to Haggis and they have a son together. She grew up in the Church of Scientology and privately left the faith around the time of his highly contentious exit from the church. She said the end of their marriage happened for other reasons, unrelated to the church exit. They still work together: she reads scripts submitted to him and they co-produce some projects. Rennard said the family has been reeling since Haleigh Breest filed a civil suit last month accusing the Oscar-winning filmmaker of rape, and two other women have come forward with misconduct claims. Rennard said that because that civil lawsuit will take at least a year to play out in court, Haggis has told her he cannot speak for himself. Rennard said that given the times she saw Haggis stand up for others, she could not live with herself if she did not say something. In this slippery slope where men in Hollywood are being defined by media reports as opposed to criminal and civil trials, it is impossible for any journalistic outlet to assign guilt or innocence. But it seems fair to allow voices from both sides to be heard. Here is Rennard’s statement.

A STATEMENT FROM AN EX-WIFE

As a woman, and an ex-actress in Hollywood, I have an unwavering support for the brave women, and some men, who have come forward to speak out against sexual predators in the film business. But even great movements by brave and sincere people can be used cynically.

I am not courageous. I don’t go out of my way to stick my neck out for others or champion an underdog. That would be my ex-husband Paul Haggis. In all the years I have known, been married to, worked together with, and been Paul’s ex, I have never known anyone more generous, caring, or selfless than him. When I met Paul, some 26 years ago, his credit rating was terrible – because he had co-signed mortgages in order that six of his friends could buy homes. And to a one they had all defaulted on those loans, bankrupting Paul.

Aghast, I asked how he could have put himself in that kind of position. His response was simple, “they’re my friends and they needed it”. That is Paul in a nutshell.

When Paul left Scientology in such a bold and vocal way, I didn’t say anything. I didn’t feel comfortable speaking out or even publicly supporting him, though privately I did. But now Paul’s name is being impugned, and I find I cannot sit by in silence. I feel a responsibility to stand up for the man who always stands up for others.

In 2010, when Paul was in Haiti right after the earthquake, he discovered there was no free high school for the children of the slums. Against all odds, he fought tirelessly to fundraise and build one. Today, four thousand of the poorest children in the western hemisphere are getting a secondary education and the chance to break out of the cycle of poverty because of him. He resigned from his charity only because of his paramount concern for this organization.

In December of 2017 Paul filed a lawsuit against a woman who had demanded a nine million dollar “settlement” in exchange for her not going public about her supposed claim. Paul would not negotiate or capitulate. Instead, he went straight to the District Attorney’s Office – who I understand did not know anything about this woman’s story – and insisted that they question him in detail. He also filed a suit against the woman for emotional distress. In doing so, Paul was the one who brought this woman’s accusations out publicly- not the woman, who was demanding millions of dollars in hush money.

Paul has also categorically denied these new anonymous accusations of violent behavior. I don’t know the women who are making these allegations against Paul; because they are anonymous. How is it even possible, in America in the year 2018, that someone can destroy another’s reputation and not even have to give their name?

I know Paul. And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt and in my heart that he would never have committed any violent acts against women. I know it because I know his character, and I know these allegations go against the core of who he is.

But then there are also facts that back up my convictions.

At the time of the claimed incident with Ms. Breest in January of 2013, Paul had just had serious back surgery. On his doctor’s orders, he wore a surgical brace under his shirt through the recovery period. He wore it until his birthday in March and during that time had to be very careful how he stood or sat. He was no physical condition to restrain a young woman against her will. Also, the apartment in which he lives, that we used to share, has an elevator door that opens right into the apartment. All that is required to leave is simply to press the elevator button. No key is required. Ms. Breest alleges she couldn’t escape from Paul – however anyone can simply walk to the elevator door and push a button to exit, or walk to either of the fire escape doors, located in both bedrooms.

Then there is the claim by an anonymous woman that, in 1996, she was an in-house publicist working on Paul’s TV show, and that he allegedly raped her one night late in his office. In 1996 Paul and I were working together on that series. There was no in-house “publicist” working in our offices – I would know, I had the office adjacent to Paul’s. We frequently worked late, and I always stayed with Paul and we always left together. Although we were not yet married, we were living together, and together we would make the half hour drive home. Every morning. Every night.

What I know for a certainty, even in those moments as a wife or ex-wife where I was furious with him at times, is that Paul is not the type of man who would ever commit an act of violence or aggression against a woman. He has never forced me to do anything against my will; has never been violent to me, no matter the provocation. This is not a man who has a “pattern of violence against women” as is so luridly claimed.

And here is what else I know: Paul would use his dying breath defending a friend who was under attack or in need. He always stands up and fights for what is right, no matter the consequences. And if one of Paul’s friends or family members, a good acquaintance – or even a stranger – like the homeless man he had move in with him (and me!) after his first marriage ended – were ever in need, Paul would bend over backwards to help or defend them, because that’s who he is. But who is the champion for the champion of the underdog? I simply cannot stay quiet and let a good man’s reputation be impugned.

I’ve noticed lately there seems to be a shortage of good men, and I don’t happen to think we have any to spare.

Paul and I had our troubles. If we didn’t we wouldn’t have separated in late 2009, and we wouldn’t have divorced after that. He has flaws, as do we all, he is by no stretch of the imagination a perfect man. But I know Paul better than just about anyone on the planet. I have seen him in the best and worst of times, I know who he is inside and out, and I know he would never use coercion, threats, or violence to have sex with a woman.

Sincerely,

Deborah Rennard

January 10, 2018

Source: http://deadline.com/2018/01/paul-ha...and-rape-allegations-dallas-crash-1202241096/

Concerning Paul Haggis

By Mike Rinder and Leah Remini, January 15, 2018

Quote:

There is plenty of reason to worry about defending anyone accused of sexual assault in today’s climate. But the fear of consequences for speaking our truth has not held us back in the past and isn’t about to start now.

We have supported victims of sexual abuse who have reached out to us and have worked with them and law enforcement to ensure justice is done for both victims and the accused. We have avoided trial by media.

In this time of heightened awareness of sexual predators, it is easy to remain quiet when an injustice is being perpetrated for fear of being tarred as politically incorrect. But more important to us than being politically correct is standing up for what we believe is right.

Paul Haggis is a good man who has been a friend to us and so many others. He has championed the rights of women, the LGBT community and has fought for and devoted himself to the underprivileged in the world. These are not “PR stunts” — he has devoted his time, skill and money to worthy causes without fanfare for decades.

Like all of us, Paul Haggis is not perfect. Unlike a lot of us, he is truly a gentleman. A gentle man, with impeccable manners and a generous heart.

Like those of us who were scientologists, we trusted and confided in our church to seek resolution for our shortcomings. What is different about scientology is the detailed records they maintain of everything you tell them. And beyond that, they conduct intense interrogations based on the idea that only when all specifics and details are disclosed can one find relief. The names, dates, and minute details of any indiscretions, and even thoughts, are all recorded.

It is not a crime to be attracted to women (or men). It’s not a crime to flirt. Or to have sexual relations with someone. It might not be acceptable to your significant other (if you have one), but it certainly isn’t criminal nor worthy of newspaper headlines.

Only a scientologist can understand the pressure one feels to offer up even the slightest thing that the scientology organization might consider a transgression of THEIR mores. This information is used against anyone who departs scientology and dares speak their mind. This is not imaginary. There is a documented history of such things. When someone is a declared an “enemy” by scientology, they are fair game.

With the name of everyone one might have thought of, flirted with or taken on a date, it takes little imagination to conjure a string of accusers being contacted and suddenly appearing out of the woodwork.

We expect the next “revelations” about Paul Haggis in this campaign to destroy him to be based on information culled from his scientology files in the form of more “anonymous” accusers, hiding behind a lawyer who will never have to disclose who is paying their bill.

Those who accuse without going to law enforcement, those who seek hush money to keep their stories secret, those who make accusations to the media anonymously – they are suspect. And when the target of these tactics is someone who is a prominent critic of scientology, it is very suspect.

Paul Haggis deserves, based on his record as a gentleman and humanitarian, to be judged when all the evidence has been taken under penalty of perjury in a court of law. Because claims of anonymous accusers who have NOT gone to law enforcement are not credible.

Leah Remini

Mike Rinder

Source and comments: https://www.mikerindersblog.org/concerning-paul-haggis/

Leah Remini Hints Scientology May Be Behind Paul Haggis Sexual Misconduct Claims | Deadline

Excerpt:

Here is the statement in response from the Church of Scientology:

Leah Remini, Paul Haggis and Mike Rinder have predictably thrown up a reprehensible smokescreen to turn horrific sexual assault and rape allegations made against Haggis by four women into a bigoted attack about their former religion.

Today’s transparent ploy by Remini and Rinder fails to mention that plaintiff Haleigh Breest’s court papers definitively state that “Ms. Breest has nothing to do with Scientology. Being a critic of Scientology does not give a man permission to rape.” Furthermore, Remini and Rinder conveniently fail to mention that the three additional women making allegations against Haggis all are on record to the Associated Press as stating that they are not Scientologists — as if an alleged rape victim’s religion should matter — and that these allegations have nothing to do with the Church.Not only are Remini and Rinder mouthing a debunked conspiracy theory that was dead on arrival when they posted today’s rant, they further offend countless other alleged victims with stunning insensitivity.

To be clear, the Church has never met the women in this case nor their attorneys and knows nothing about the accusations against Haggis other than what has appeared in press reports and public court documents. We find it hypocritical and appalling for Haggis, Remini and especially Rinder — who has his own history of domestic violence and bullying women and who has no other source of income outside of attacking Scientology — to attempt to divert discussion about the subject of sexual abuse and the mistreatment of women with provably false claims to promote their hate-filled agenda.

More at http://deadline.com/2018/01/leah-re...sexual-assault-claims-scientology-1202243506/

Leah Remini calls Paul Haggis rape accusers ‘suspect’ | Canoe

http://canoe.com/entertainment/celebrity/leah-remini-calls-paul-haggis-rape-accusers-suspect

Leah Remini Defends 'Crash' Director Paul Haggis Amid Sexual Assault Allegations | Complex

http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/...ientology-for-allegations-against-paul-haggis

Former Scientologist Leah Remini believes the Church is behind sexual assault accusations against producer and former member Paul Haggis | Daily Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5272749/Leah-Remini-believes-Church-Scientology-behin.html

Leah Remini blames Scientology for Paul Haggis sexual misconduct claims | The Fix

https://thefix.nine.com.au/2018/01/16/10/49/leah-remini-defends-paul-haggis-blames-scientology

Leah Remini defends fellow ex-Scientologist Paul Haggis, suggests Church of Scientology is behind rape claims | Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainmen...church-scientology-is-behind-rape-claims.html

Leah Remini and ‘Scientology’ co-host defend Paul Haggis amid sexual assault claims | Global News Canada

https://globalnews.ca/news/3965921/leah-remini-scientology-paul-haggis-sexual-assault/

Leah Remini, 'Scientology' Co-Host Mike Rinder Defend Paul Haggis Amid Sexual Misconduct Claims | Hollywood Reporter

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/n...-paul-haggis-sexual-misconduct-claims-1074709

Leah Remini Defends Paul Haggis: ‘Anonymous’ Rape Allegations Against Ex-Scientologist Are ‘Very Suspect’ | IndieWire

http://www.indiewire.com/2018/01/le...ggis-rape-accusations-scientology-1201917493/

Leah Remini And Mike Rinder Support Paul Haggis As He Battles Sexual Misconduct Claims | Inquisitr

https://www.inquisitr.com/4737811/l...aggis-as-he-battles-sexual-misconduct-claims/

Leah Remini Implies Scientology Is Behind Sexual Assault Accusations Against Paul Haggis in an Open Letter | Jezebel

https://jezebel.com/leah-remini-implies-scientology-is-behind-sexual-assaul-1822098153

Leah Remini implies Scientology behind Paul Haggis’ rape claims | New York Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertai...ind-paul-haggis-rape-claims-article-1.3758596

Leah Remini Defends Ex-Scientologist Paul Haggis Amid Rape Allegations | Newsweek

http://www.newsweek.com/leah-remini-defends-paul-haggis-scientologist-781890

Leah Remini & Mike Rinder Defend Anti-Scientology Ally Paul Haggis Following Rape Accusations | Perez Hilton

http://perezhilton.com/2018-01-15-l...th-paul-haggis-rape-sexual-misconduct-claims/

Leah Remini Defends Paul Haggis Amid Sexual Misconduct Claims | Pop Culture

http://popculture.com/celebrity/2018/01/15/leah-remini-defends-paul-haggis-allegations-scientology/

Leah Remini Defends Paul Haggis, Suggests That Sexual Misconduct Allegations Are A Scientology Plot To Smear Him | Uproxx

http://uproxx.com/news/leah-remini-defends-paul-haggis-sexual-misconduct-allegations-scientology/

Leah Remini Defends Director Paul Haggis, Hints Scientology Is Behind Sexual Misconduct Allegations | Us Weekly

https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrit...cientology-is-behind-paul-haggis-allegations/

Leah Remini and Co-Host Mike Rinder Defend Director Paul Haggis Over Rape Allegations | Vulture

http://www.vulture.com/2018/01/leah-remini-defends-director-paul-haggis-over-rape-claims.html

Leah Remini, Mike Rinder: Paul Haggis Sexual Misconduct Accusers 'Are Suspect' | The Wrap

https://www.thewrap.com/leah-remini-and-mike-rinder-defend-paul-haggis/

Here's a detailed summary of all this:

Leah Remini and Mike Rinder cite Scientology interrogations as they support Paul Haggis

By Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, January 16, 2018

https://tonyortega.org/2018/01/16/l...y-interrogations-as-they-support-paul-haggis/

I'm a Paul Haggis Sex Assault Accuser, and I'm Anonymous. Here's Why (Guest Column) | Hollywood Reporter

One of three women detailing sexual misconduct claims against the 'Crash' screenwriter explains the timing of speaking out, why Leah Remini is "shameful" and what it means that she isn't using her name.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/n...r-im-anonymous-heres-why-guest-column-1075211

'Shame on you': Paul Haggis sexual assault accuser hits back at Leah Remini who said four abuse claims against the Crash director were part of a Scientology smear campaign after he turned his back on the church | Daily Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...s-sexual-assault-accuser-hit-Leah-Remini.html

Paul Haggis accuser defends anonymity, denies Scientology claims | New York Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertai...y-denies-scientology-claims-article-1.3762822

Accusers slam Paul Haggis for claiming Scientology behind accusations | Page Six

https://pagesix.com/2018/01/17/accu...-for-claiming-scientology-behind-accusations/

A column in the Hollywood Reporter by an anonymous Paul Haggis accuser responds to those Scientology claims | Slate

https://slate.com/culture/2018/01/a...ser-responds-to-those-scientology-claims.html

Exclusive: Oscar Winner Paul Haggis Suffers Retribution: Two Former Scientologists Say They Were Pressured to Help Frame Him with Women

By Roger Friedman, Showbiz411, January 25, 2018

Quote:

Oscar winning director-writer Paul Haggis left the cult of Scientology in a big way: he participated in both Lawrence Wright’s award winning book “Going Clear” and the Alex Gibney documentary of the same name. He was also featured in Leah Remini’s award winning A&E series “Aftermath” which has unmasked a lot of Scientology’s secrets.

Scientology, notable for retribution, didn’t seem to do anything to get him back. They made their usual fake websites and carried on, but there was no big explosion.

So…wait for it.

Haggis is now embroiled in dueling lawsuits from a young woman who allegedly extorted him, claiming rape and demanding $9 million for her silence. Then more women — these, anonymously – turned up, making accusations but not following through in any other way. It was just bad publicity. Last week, the Hollywood Reporter carried a first person account from an anonymous woman, a broadside attack with no facts.

Is this simply Scientology taking advantage of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements? The answer is Yes.

Last week, I spoke to two former Scientologists – one a woman, the other her colleague – who’ve known Haggis for decades. They each worked for Hollywood guilds that Haggis belonged to – I promised not to reveal which ones.

Each of these former Scientologists told me similar stories: a very high placed Scientology executive had asked them recently for dirt on Haggis. “Anything to do with women,” the exec said.

The gist of it: the Scientology exec had called, pressuring her to get information illegally from Haggis’s confidential guild records to see if there had been complaints made against him of a sexual nature. “He had also asked if she was aware of any industry rumors about Paul related to violent behavior toward women,” one of them said in a signed statement. The colleague corroborated the friend.

One of the Scientologists said in a signed statement: “The idea was so outrageous to me, I told him flat out, “no.” I told him he was asking me to break the law. I would never do that. Those files are highly confidential.” When she balked, the Scientology exec tried to convince her that he already had someone to speak against Haggis. “We have a woman,” the exec told her.

I believe these women. There was nothing in Haggis’s past or present to indicate any kind of violent behavior, let alone rape. Scientology is infamous for causing problems for ex-members. Remini has explained this very carefully in her A&E series. I’ve protected the identities of these Scientologists even though they’ve given me signed statements. “They’re so scared they said they’d only talk about this in a locked car in an empty parking lot.”

Source: http://www.showbiz411.com/2018/01/2...y-were-pressured-to-help-frame-him-with-women

Roger Friedman says he’s got evidence that Paul Haggis was set up by Scientology

By Tony Ortega, January 26, 2018

https://tonyortega.org/2018/01/26/c...ringing-endorsement-from-a-scientology-front/

Is Scientology Behind the Paul Haggis Rape Allegations?

The ‘Crash’ filmmaker has argued that the Church of Scientology might be bankrolling his accusers, but the Church and his accusers firmly deny it.

By Marlow Stern, The Daily Beast, December 23, 2018

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Last week, the legal team for Haleigh Breest, an entertainment publicist suing filmmaker Paul Haggis for allegedly sexually assaulting her in his New York apartment in 2013, issued a subpoena that invoked Donald Trump’s $130,000 hush payment to adult star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election.

Breest’s team served the subpoena to the Hollywood talent agency CAA, which represents Haggis, and is seeking any and all documents and communications concerning the Crash director’s lawsuits and legal settlements, arguing that this is necessary “because settlement agreements involving sexual misconduct are often written to conceal their true subject matter.” Haggis, for his part, denied being involved in any such sexual misconduct settlement agreements, and his legal team has contended that this demand for correspondences is meant to cause his “total ruination.” They also referenced Haggis’ status as a Scientology whistleblower, claiming, “Such tactics call into question whether [Breest] has obtained outside funding for her litigation from parties with an interest in harming [Haggis].”

This isn’t the first time Haggis has suggested that the Church of Scientology, who’s had it out for him since he became the first high-profile celebrity to defect from (and speak out against) the controversial religion, is somehow involved with the sexual-assault allegations against him—which now includes Breest and three other accusers who have chosen to remain anonymous.

Haggis, who says he was forced to take preemptive legal action against Breest late last year after she allegedly threatened to go forward with the rape accusation if she didn’t receive a $9 million payout, has claimed that their encounter was consensual, and according to a legal filing, “also questions whether Scientology has any role here, which he notes has been attacking him for years with false accusations.” (A judge has since dismissed Haggis’ suit.)

The filmmaker’s notion that the Church of Scientology might be behind the sexual-assault allegations against him was supported by his fellow Scientology whistleblowers (and pals) Leah Remini and Mike Rinder, co-hosts of the A&E reality series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.

In a statement issued to the media, Remini and Rinder wrote, in part: “We expect the next ‘revelations’ about Paul Haggis in this campaign to destroy him to be based on information culled from his Scientology files in the form of more ‘anonymous’ accusers, hiding behind a lawyer who will never have to disclose who is paying their bill.”

It continued: “Those who accuse without going to law enforcement, those who seek hush money to keep their stories secret, those who make accusations to the media anonymously—they are suspect. And when the target of these tactics is someone who is a prominent critic of scientology, it is very suspect.”

Through her attorneys at Emery Celli, Breest issued a statement in a legal filing saying, in part, “Rather than confront his own misconduct, Mr. Haggis writes about Scientology. Why? Ms. Breest has nothing to do with Scientology. Being a critic of Scientology does not give a man permission to rape.” One of Haggis’ anonymous accusers, meanwhile, denied having any connection to Scientology in a Hollywood Reporter op-ed, writing, “[Haggis] has also attempted to discredit his accusers, alleging we are working together to profit from him and are acting on behalf of the Church of Scientology, of which Haggis is a prominent defector. This is offensive and false. I do not know and have not spoken or met with any of his other accusers. I do not stand to make anything. I want nothing from Haggis other than that the truth be known. I have no connection with Scientology or its practitioners. For those people—including actress Leah Remini—who have stated publicly that all of Haggis’ accusers are part of a Scientology conspiracy, shame on you. Isn’t now the time to be listening to your sisters?”

Remini and Haggis would not provide further comment to The Daily Beast on the Scientology accusations, while Breest’s lawyers maintain that “the claim is absurd.” The Church of Scientology issued a lengthy letter denying that they have any connection to Breest or Haggis’ other accusers, writing, “No. Ms. Breest has never been a member of the Church or involved with the Church in any capacity. Nor is the Church involved in or financing these allegations against Paul Haggis, a false claim made by Paul Haggis, Leah Remini and Mike Rinder.” They also, as is their wont, alleged that Remini and Rinder were “expelled from the Church” for “egregious ethical lapses,” though wouldn’t elaborate further.

Rinder, in an interview with The Daily Beast, expanded on why he thinks Scientology is behind the sexual-assault allegations against Haggis and has attached itself to the #MeToo movement to silence its critics, citing the Church’s history of attacking its critics, and his daughter Taryn Teutsch’s recent campaign against him—wherein she created a website accusing the former Scientology senior executive of assaulting her mother, Cathy Bernardini, and is demanding his firing from Aftermath. (Teutsch and Bernardini are Scientologists, and are “disconnected” from Rinder.)

“Now, how do I know about the #MeToo movement? Take a look at what they did to me. My daughter runs around trying to attach herself to the #MeToo movement to try to get me fired by Disney,” Rinder tells me. “And that is an exact parallel—and an exact pattern—of what Scientology uses to try and destroy its critics. And I look at what happened with Paul Haggis, the timing of it, the facts that surrounded the circumstances (that he was the one that reported the shakedown effort from this woman, that she tried to blackmail him to begin with, that he went to the authorities), and I went, you know, this is just too much. I’ve seen too many of these things in my personal view, and with my personal expertise in Scientology.”

While he says he doesn’t believe Breest was ever a Scientologist, Rinder argues, “I don’t know if that changes anything. You can get all sorts of people to do all sorts of things.”

Source: https://www.thedailybeast.com/is-scientology-behind-the-paul-haggis-rape-allegations

Have to wonder if Leah's recent call on the DA who does Masterson's case has anything to do with it.

Haggis Abandons Case against Haleigh Breest | Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady LLP

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March 14, 2019

Late yesterday, director Paul Haggis abandoned his lawsuit against Haleigh Breest. A lower court dismissed Haggis’ case on August 14, 2018, and Haggis quietly dropped his appeal yesterday.

Though the Haggis case against Ms. Breest is over, Ms. Breest’s sexual assault case against Mr. Haggis continues.

Read more about the case here, here, and here.

Source: https://www.ecbalaw.com/haggis-abandons-case-against-haleigh-breest/

Paul Haggis, Rape Accuser Fight Over Her Morning-After Text Messages

By Eriq Gardner, Hollywood Reporter, August 12, 2019

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Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis says he's on the outs in Hollywood thanks to a publicist's rape claim. In court documents filed last week, the Crash director blames Haleigh Breest's 2017 lawsuit — and the subsequent media attention — as resulting in an entertainment community that will no longer work with him, thus depriving him of necessary income to defend himself in court. Due to dwindling financial resources, he's now had to switch attorneys. Haggis also has a game plan to turn around his situation.

In a rather unusual request, Haggis, 66, is now asking a New York judge to allow him to publicly air evidence that's currently deemed "confidential."

The evidence, procured through the discovery process and under seal, is a series of text messages between Breest and her close friends on the morning after the alleged incident back in 2013. Haggis believes these messages will counter the harm inflicted upon his reputation and provide contemporaneous evidence of what he claims was a consensual affair.

Breest's lawyers disagree.

In court papers opposing the lifting of confidentiality, Breest's team contends that the texts show the reverse — that they are consistent with someone who has been victimized by a violent sexual assault.

In the texts, which are described in court papers (Breest's attorneys attempted to redact them but failed to properly do so), Breest writes about getting a ride home from Haggis after the 2013 premiere of the Steven Soderbergh movie Side Effects. She discusses in graphic terms the physical impact of the encounter, and a friend characterizes it as "borderline rape." (THR has not included the details of the discussion.) They also discuss allegations that other prominent Hollywood figures, including Harvey Weinstein, also raped women. (Notably, the exchange occurred long before Weinstein's misdeeds became widely public and before the #MeToo movement.)

The two sides dispute the meaning of the texts. Haggis' lawyers apparently see them as evidence she wished to reprise the relationship, while Breest's lawyers focus on how she expressed her desire to no longer be a victim. Haggis' camp sees her texts to be both boastful and jovial, while Breest's lawyers see any minimization of what happened to be a coping mechanism. "Social science research demonstrates that this impulse is common among rape victims, who frequently seek to 'reframe' the experience in order to regain a sense of control,'" state her attorneys at the Emery Celli firm.

Haggis' request to make these texts non-confidential is itself out of the ordinary. The filmmaker is now being represented by Priya Chaudhry after splitting with Christine Lepera (the same attorney representing Dr. Luke in a somewhat similar legal fight with Kesha). Chaudhry, in one of her first filings in the case, complains how "Breest's lawyers, and the powerful interests aligned with them, have spread this [rape] fiction in their court papers and in countless articles in the press."

As Haggis' new attorney sees it, the publicist alleging rape has taken advantage of the media's interest in the case to publicly prosecute her claim. Haggis deserves the same favor, argues Chaudhry.

"Confidentiality cannot be used as both a sword and a shield," writes Haggis' attorney. "[Breest] has repeatedly, openly, notoriously, and intentionally 'opened the door' to the public disclosure."

Throughout the litigation, Haggis' side has insinuated that he's being targeted because of his prominent role as a leading Scientology defector and critic. In fact, according to Breest's latest court papers, his lawyers behind the scenes have sought "maximum publicity" for the Scientology narrative.

Under oath, Breest has denied she's receiving funding from those connected with the Church of Scientology. Breest also points to a court document that Haggis has designated as confidential.

As her lawyers tell the judge, "In an email to friends and colleagues, Haggis wrote of his Scientology conspiracy theory: 'Who the fuck knows if it is the case?' This is one of many damning admissions that Haggis designated confidential in this case and seeks to keep sealed so that he can continue to lie to the press and the public. This blunt statement says it all."

In a statement, Haggis attorney Chaudhry says: "Breest's attorneys have tried to hide these texts from public view... We will continue to fight to have the complete exchange of text messages between Breest and her friends be made public."

More at https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t...cuser-fight-her-morning-text-messages-1230923