Paul Haggis Settles Civil Rape Case for Nearly $2 Million

Paul Haggis, the director known for "Crash," has settled a civil lawsuit with former film publicist Haleigh Breest, who accused him of rape. The settlement, finalized in March 2024, requires Haggis to pay approximately $2 million, significantly less than the $10 million verdict awarded to Breest in 2022. This verdict included $7.5 million in damages, with an additional $2.8 million for legal fees, which had been accruing interest since the trial.

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Haleigh Breest filed her lawsuit against Haggis in December 2017, amid the #MeToo movement, alleging that he raped her in his Manhattan apartment following a film premiere in January 2013. During the trial, Breest testified that she repeatedly said "no" to Haggis's advances, describing the encounter as coercive and traumatic. Haggis, who was 59 at the time, denied the allegations, claiming he could not recall the events and suggesting that the accusations were part of a conspiracy against him, linked to his departure from the Church of Scientology.

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The civil trial concluded in 2022, with a jury siding with Breest after hearing her testimony and that of four other women who described similar unwanted sexual advances by Haggis dating back to 1996. The jury's decision rejected Haggis's defenses, which included claims that Breest was seeking financial gain and that the allegations were fabricated as part of a Scientology-related plot. Following the verdict, Haggis expressed his intention to appeal but later withdrew those appeals in 2024, citing financial strain from the legal battle.

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The settlement agreement states that the parties "have amicably resolved all disputes between or among them." Breest expressed gratitude for the opportunity to seek justice, stating, “I am grateful that I had the opportunity to seek justice and accountability in court — and that the jury chose to follow the facts — and believed me.” Haggis, on the other hand, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, claiming, “I can’t live with lies like this. I would die clearing my name.”

The Wrap

Critics of Haggis have highlighted the broader implications of his case within the #MeToo movement, emphasizing the challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault in seeking justice. Breest's decision to pursue legal action was partly motivated by Haggis's public condemnation of other accused figures, such as Harvey Weinstein, which she found hypocritical.

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While the settlement amount has been reported as nearly $2 million, discrepancies exist regarding the total damages initially awarded to Breest, with figures cited ranging from $10 million to $7.5 million in compensatory damages. Additionally, Haggis's claims of financial hardship have not been independently verified.

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• “I’m saying ‘No.’ I’m saying, ‘Stop.’ I’m saying it over and over,” — Haleigh Breest, Accuser

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• “I can’t live with lies like this. I would die clearing my name.” — Paul Haggis, Director

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• “I am grateful that I had the opportunity to seek justice and accountability in court — and that the jury chose to follow the facts — and believed me,” — Haleigh Breest, Accuser

The Wrap

The settlement marks a significant conclusion to a high-profile case that has drawn attention to issues of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry.

Hollywood Reporter