NY Jury Hurls Out a Heavy $7.5 Million Verdict Against Oscar-Winning Filmmaker Paul Haggis
Verdict delivered on Nov 10 after a nail‑biting 15‑day civil trial
In a courtroom drama that had more twists than a Christopher Nolan film, a Manhattan jury found film legend Paul Haggis responsible for a rape claim against publicist Haleigh Breest. The result? A minimum $7.5 million award (which translates to about 10.4 million Singapore dollars) in civil damages.
Breest had pulled the trigger on her complaint in 2017—claiming that Haggis, after a premiere in SoHo, lured her into a loft and violently assaulted her. In 2018, she was one of four women who publicly accused the director of sexual misconduct. Haggis denied all allegations.
Key moments from the trial
- 15‑day courtroom showdown: The jury spent nearly three weeks sifting through evidence, nothing but drama and legal maneuvering.
- Jury’s verdict: They slapped Haggis with a $7.5 million damage order—don’t be fooled, it was the minimum; punitive damages will loom on Monday.
- Attorney remarks: Breest’s lawyer, Ilann M. Maaze, called the outcome “justice” and a “great victory” for both her and the #MeToo movement.
- Haggis’s rebuttal: His lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, slammed the court, saying the judge let other complaint snippets slip through while ignoring his case. “It’s a smear campaign,” she claimed.
Beyond the verdict: Arrest, Appeals and A Global Spotlight
In June, Haggis was seized by Italian authorities—held for over two weeks on sexual assault charges—and he’s still fighting every allegation. While the U.S. juries handle his civil liability, an international web of legal challenges looms.
With the verdict echoing louder than an ex‑USO preacher’s hymn, it’s a stark reminder that fame doesn’t grant immunity. Even the biggest Hollywood buzzkill can still face the full weight of justice.
