Guilty and Gone: Paul Haggis Found Liable, Then Disappears Overseas

In a closely watched civil trial stemming from a 2013 encounter, filmmaker Paul Haggis was found liable for raping former publicist Haleigh Breest and ordered to pay $10 million in damages—despite supportive testimony from actress Leah Remini.

The verdict, delivered by a Manhattan jury in November 2022, followed a two-week trial that revisited the night Breest attended a film premiere after party hosted by Haggis. She testified that he invited her back to his SoHo apartment, where he allegedly forced her into non-consensual sexual acts.

Although the lawsuit focused on this single incident, multiple women also testified that Haggis had engaged in similar conduct with them in the past. While their claims were not part of the formal complaint, the judge allowed their testimony as “pattern evidence” to help the jury assess intent and credibility.

Haggis, 72, denied all allegations, claiming the encounter was consensual and describing the lawsuit as part of a campaign to destroy his reputation. Leah Remini, a longtime friend, testified for the defense, calling the lawsuit “suspicious” and implying it could be part of an effort to smear Haggis.

Despite Remini’s testimony, the jury ruled against Haggis, awarding $7.5 million in compensatory damages to Breest and later adding $2.5 million in punitive damages—a clear indication the jury believed he had caused serious harm.

Though he initially vowed to appeal, Haggis later withdrew his appeal, making the verdict final.

The civil case against Haggis—shaped by emotional testimony from his accuser and support from friends like Remini—ended in a decisive judgment. For many observers, the case underscored the complexities of #MeToo-era justice, where questions of credibility, power, and accountability converge in the courtroom.

Haggis’s once-prominent career has largely collapsed since the allegations emerged. He has reportedly been living in Italy, a move some speculate may be an effort to avoid enforcement and collection of the judgment against him. In court, Haggis stated that the legal battle had nearly bankrupted him, citing millions spent on legal fees.