CNN
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A jury located filmmaker Paul Haggis liable in a sexual assault situation that was introduced forward by a former publicist who alleged he raped her immediately after a motion picture premiere in 2013.
The jury ordered the Oscar-profitable screenwriter to pay Haleigh Breest at the very least $7.5 million in damages Thursday, according to attorneys for both Breest and Haggis.
Breest brought the scenario below the New York Town Victims of Gender-Inspired Violence Protection Act.
Legal professional Ilann Maazel, who represents Breest, informed CNN by telephone, “We’re grateful. We’re grateful. The jury was methodical and did justice now. We are proud, not just for Haleigh but for the overall #MeToo motion.”
In a statement to CNN, Haggis’s lawyer, Priya Chaudhry said, “We are dissatisfied and stunned by this verdict.”
“It was impossible for Mr. Haggis to get a honest demo at the time the judge allowed the statements of 4 other girls who never ever went to the law enforcement, hardly ever took any action from him, and 3 of 4 in no way even came into the courtroom,” the legal professional included. “They used this to distort the reality, assassinate Mr. Haggis’ character, paint him as a monster, and use a ‘where there is smoke, there is fire’ strategy. No one could have experienced a honest demo in that courtroom below those situations. This is a shameful exploitation of the #MeToo motion wherever political sentiment trumps details.”
Breest alleged that Haggis sexually assaulted her on the evening of January 31, 2013, in his Manhattan condominium when she was 26 years outdated – “less than 50 percent Mr. Haggis’s age,” according to the criticism submitted in the state Supreme Court’s branch in New York County in 2017.
“The psychological and psychological hurt to Ms. Breest from the attack can not be overstated: it has been profound and long lasting,” the criticism explained.
The incident transpired following Haggis and Breest had been at a film premiere, in accordance to the criticism. Toward the close of the party, Haggis supplied Breest a experience house, the grievance alleges.
When in his automobile, Haggis invited Breest about for a consume.
“Ms. Breest explained to him she was ready to go to a community bar, but mentioned she did not want to go to his apartment. Mr. Haggis insisted they go to his condominium,” the criticism mentioned.
Breest “relented” after remaining “faced with his persistence” and soon after recognizing that he was a “powerful member of the Hollywood elite who could impact her profession,” in accordance to the grievance.
The criticism alleges that Haggis built undesired sexual advancements and forcibly kissed her.
“She frequently advised him ‘No’ but he would not cease,” the complaint said.
Haggis acquired Breest into the bed room the place he pressured himself on her and ultimately raped her regardless of her efforts to thrust him off, the complaint alleges.
Maazel advised CNN that the punitive destruction demo will very likely continue on Monday in which he expects Haggis to just take the stand.
Haggis is a director, producer and screenwriter. His film credits include “Crash,” which earned him Oscars for finest image and ideal unique screenplay at the 2006 Academy Awards. He also received a nomination for his screenplay for the multi-Oscar-winning “Million Greenback Infant.”
The filmmaker was detained in Italy above sexual assault allegations previously this year although he was there to go to a movie festival. An legal professional for Haggis denied the allegations.