Paul Haggis will face a rape lawsuit against him in New York.
Back in 2013, publicist Haleigh Breest accused the Oscar-winning director of raping her. After she filed a lawsuit, Haggis countersued but only Breest’s suit will proceed in court.
On Thursday, a judge didn’t buy Haggis’ claims that the allegations are false.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Haggis’ lawyer Christine Lepera says there was no $9 million “hush” demand like Breest’s representatives claimed.
“I never agreed to have settlement discussions,” said Lepera. “It became clear it was extortion. When you threaten litigation on a false rape allegation in this climate, it’s outrageous. We all know rape is outrageous. This is equally outrageous.”
But New York Supreme Court Judge Robert Reed wasn’t convinced.
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“Falsely accusing someone of sexual assault,” Lepera continued. “The mere accusation is typically accompanied by incredibly negative social stigma.”
At the end of the hearing, the judge dismissed Haggis’ lawsuit, noting there were no specific allegations of threats made by Breest.
