'Crash' Director Paul Haggis Accused By Four Women of Rape, Sexual Misconduct
Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Paul Haggis has been accused by four women of sexual misconduct, including rape, according to the Associated Press.
One of those women filed a lawsuit against Haggis in December, alleging he raped her in 2013. The accuser, identified in court papers as Haleigh Breest, said she came forward after reading an interview in which Haggis denounced Harvey Weinstein.
Her lawsuit prompted three other women to come forward, one of whom is also claiming Haggis raped her in 1996 while working together on a television project. Another said that he forcibly kissed her, while the third said he attempted to sexually assault her before she ran away.
Haggis — who made history by writing back-to-back Oscar Best Picture winners ("Crash," "Million Dollar Baby") — has denied the initial allegation and filed a countersuit against Breest. His representative said, "He didn't rape anybody."