NEW YORK: Oscar-winning Canadian filmmaker Paul Haggis is now accused of sexual abuse by four women, according to an amended civil suit filed on Friday in New York.
Haggis, who wrote and produced “Crash,” and penned the screenplay for “Million Dollar Baby,” is also known for his high-profile split almost a decade ago from the Church of Scientology.
The allegations against him are the latest in a torrent of accusations made against powerful men that began with the fall of film mogul Harvey Weinstein in October, over numerous accusations including rape.
Three women alleging to be victims of Haggis’s abuse are referred to in the lawsuit amended Friday and initially filed on December 15 at a New York court by a film publicist, Haleigh Breest.
She accused Haggis of abusing and raping her in January 2013 when she was 26.
On the same day Haggis, 64, filed his own action against Breest, denying the accusation and accusing her of seeking “to extract many millions of dollars” from him.
Breest’s lawsuit says that since she filed her claim “three other women have accused Paul Haggis of rape and sexual abuse.”
Those three are identified only as Jane Doe one, two and three.
The first woman, a publicist who worked with Haggis on a television program, alleged that in 1996 he forcefully kissed her before making her perform oral sex and then raping her.
Another woman, who wanted to propose an idea for a show, alleged that she had to flee from his office in 2008 when he kissed her by force.
The third woman, whom Haggis met at a film festival, said she was abused in 2015 when he tried to forcefully kiss her.
According to the law firm of Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady, who are acting for the plaintiff and passed the allegations to AFP, the claims show that Haggis “is a serial predator who has preyed upon women for many years.”
A lawyer for the film-maker, Christine Lepera, did not immediately comment when reached by AFP but in a statement to the Deadline.com website said he “denies these anonymous claims in whole.”
She said that Haggis “views the fact that these reports appear to be spearheaded from the law-firm representing Ms Breest, as a further tactic to try to harm him and continue their effort to obtain money.”
Oscar-winner Haggis accused of abusing four women
Oscar-winner Haggis accused of abusing four women
Georgina Rodriguez, Gigi Hadid among fashion’s most followed stars
- Rodriguez second at 92.4m, Hadid third with 77.6m
- Models working with some of world’s biggest brands
DUBAI: Georgina Rodriguez and Gigi Hadid this week secured spots on Models.com’s social category, which ranks stars based on their media reach.
Rodriguez, who is based in Riyadh with her family, placed second with 92.4 million followers, while Hadid ranked third with 77.6 million.
US model Kendall Jenner topped the list with 291.7 million followers. Hadid’s sister, Bella, also featured on the ranking, in fifth place.
Rodriguez took to Instagram to share the news with her followers, posting a screenshot of her name on the list. “Thank you!” she wrote.
Rodriguez began her professional journey after moving to Madrid at the age of 18, where she worked in retail, including as a sales assistant at a Gucci store, where she later met Cristiano Ronaldo.
Over the years, she has built a profile as a model and influencer, appearing in campaigns for brands including American label Guess, Italy’s ready-to-wear firm Genny, and Italian luxury jewelry house Pasquale Bruni.
She has also walked for brands including Moncler and Swiss fashion label Vetements, and appeared on the covers of international magazines.
Rodriguez has collaborated with big brands including L’Oreal and Charlotte Tilbury, and has worked as brand ambassador for regional labels Amara Lenses and the Saudi Arabia perfume house Laverne.
She recently starred in the Netflix docuseries “I Am Georgina,” which offered audiences a deeper look at her life and career.
Hadid’s career in modeling began in early childhood when she appeared in campaigns for Baby Guess, but she returned to the industry as a teenager with IMG Models in 2013.
She made her New York Fashion Week debut in 2014 and has since worked with many top designers, walking runways and starring in campaigns for labels including Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Michael Kors and Versace.
Hadid was named International Model of the Year by the British Fashion Council in 2016.
Over the last decade, she has been consistently ranked among the highest-paid and most in-demand models globally.
She is also the founder of Guest in Residence, a cashmere knitwear label launched in 2022.
