Arrested in Italy on June 19, suspected of sexual assault, director and screenwriter Paul Haggis speaks for the first time, in the columns of La Repubblica. He denies the facts and suspects the Church of Scientology.
Known for having written and directed the film Collision, or co-scripted Million Dollar Baby, Canadian director and screenwriter Paul Haggis was arrested in Italy on June 19, as we relayed here. He is “seriously“suspected of sexual assault”aggravated“against a young woman, according to several Italian press agencies.
Almost a month after this arrest, the director speaks for the first time. As reported Reuters, he was released on July 4 from his house arrest in Italy. This release followed a confrontation with the young woman. A judge took this decision, considering that it did not present a danger for the latter.
I didn’t rape anyone, but I made two mistakes. My life was ruined in a minute.
In an interview for the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, accessible in English, Paul Haggis defends himself. The headline to the article reads:I didn’t rape anyone, but I made two mistakes. My life was ruined in a minute.” He pursues : “I lost two jobs. I hope that justice will quickly restore the truth“.
Asked about his link with Scientology (for the record, the director belonged to the Church of Scientology for a long time, precisely for 35 years, before leaving with a bang, Editor’s note.), Paul Haggis wonders frankly about the potential involvement of the Church of Scientology. “I don’t have any proof in this specific case yet, but from what I’ve learned, they are capable of absolutely anything. If you say anything against them, they will use every means at their disposal to destroy your reputation, your career and your family.“.
In 2011, Paul Haggis confided in feeling threatened by the organization: “I bet that two years from now, you’ll be reading a story about me. I will be involved in some scandal and, at first glance, it will have nothing to do with the Church of Scientology.”
The “errors” of which Paul Haggis speaks are the following: “My first mistake was letting someone I knew visit me. It was stupid. LThe second was on the last morning, when something that I found very unpleasant happened. I abruptly decided to put an end to this situation. I then took this woman to the airport several hours before her flight.“
As our colleagues from TF1 News“the local prosecutor’s office has announced its willingness to appeal, a new hearing should be held in several weeks before a court in Lecce“.
For the record, Paul Haggis had already dealt with justice in 2018. Four people had accused Paul Haggis of inappropriate behavior. The director of In the Valley of Elah had denied in block. He is to be tried next October in this case.