Paul Haggis

Personal life Haggis lives in Santa Monica, California. He has three daughters from his first marriage to Diana Gettas and one son from his second marriage to Deborah Rennard. His younger sister, Jo Francis, is a film editor; they have worked together on several projects.

In 2009, Haggis founded the non-profit organization Artists for Peace and Justice to assist impoverished youth in Haiti. In an interview with Dan Rather, Haggis mentioned that he is an atheist.

Break from Scientology After maintaining active membership in the Church of Scientology for 35 years, Haggis left the organization in October 2009. He was motivated to leave Scientology in reaction to statements made by the San Diego branch of the Church of Scientology in support of Proposition 8, the ballot initiative which banned same-sex marriage in California. Haggis went on to list other grievances against Scientology, including its policy of disconnection, and the smearing of its ex-members through the leaking of their personal details.

In an interview with Movieline, Haggis was asked about similarities between his film The Next Three Days and his departure from the Scientology organization; Haggis responded, "I think one's life always parallels art and art parallels life." In February 2011, The New Yorker published a 25,000-word story, "The Apostate", by Lawrence Wright, detailing Haggis's allegations about the Church of Scientology. The article ended by quoting Haggis: "My bet is that, within two years, you’re going to read something about me in a scandal that looks like it has nothing to do with the church. ... I was in a cult for thirty-four years. Everyone else could see it. I don't know why I couldn't."

Sexual misconduct allegations In 2017, publicist Haleigh Breest filed a lawsuit against Haggis, alleging that he had sexually assaulted her after a film premiere in 2013. Haggis denied all allegations and filed a countersuit, claiming Breest intended to bankrupt him by extracting a settlement. His suit was dismissed.

In 2021, Haggis asked a judge to expedite his civil trial. He said he "cannot continue to pay his legal bills." Haggis requested the judge set a trial "at the earliest practical date." His lawyer, Seth Zuckerman, wrote in the motion that "the defendant is no longer in a position to finance his defence with this matter lingering in advance of trial." Following the initial accusation, three additional women came forward with various accusations of sexual assault and misconduct.

Fellow former Scientologists Leah Remini and Mike Rinder have defended him, suggesting that the Church of Scientology may be involved, an assertion both the accusers and the Church itself deny.

On June 19, 2022, Haggis was arrested in Ostuni in southern Italy over allegations of sexual assault. Local law enforcement charged him with aggravated sexual violence and aggravated personal injuries.

On November 10, 2022, a New York jury found Haggis liable for the rape of Breest in a civil suit and ordered him to pay her at least . On November 14, the jury ordered Haggis to pay an additional in punitive damages. On March 9, 2023, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Sabrina Kraus ordered Haggis to pay an additional in attorney fees and costs. The total judgement in damages and fees Haggis was ordered to pay is . Haggis told the court that the case effectively bankrupted him and claimed he has no ability to pay the verdict or any additional costs and fees.

Filmography Film

Executive producer Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) (Also story writer) Gold (2016)

Ref.:

Television

Acting credit Year Title Role Episode 2006 Entourage Himself "Crash and Burn"

TV movies Year Title Director Writer Executiveproducer Notes 1998 Ghost of a Chance 2008 Speechless Documentary film 2017 Shelter

Video game

Awards and nominations