Oscar-Winning Director Nabbed In Italy For Allegedly Abudcting Woman, Raping Her For Two Days

Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Paul Haggis was arrested on Sunday in Italy after a woman accused him of keeping her in his hotel room and raping her for two days, years after a publicist had sued him for a similar sexual assault charge.

Haggis, who was in Italy for the film and music festival Allora Fest to teach a master course in film, reportedly kept the woman in his room for two days before attempting to fly her out of Italy. When she refused to comply, Haggis responded by leaving the woman at the airport, where officers found her in “precarious physical and psychological conditions,” according to NPR.

The woman, who may have been working the Allora Fest as a sex worker, was not Italian. As police officers continue to investigate the case further, Haggis’ lawyer Priya Chaudhry has denied the rape charges put against him, the Daily Beast reported.

“Under Italian Law, I cannot discuss the evidence. That said, I am confident that all allegations will be dismissed against Mr. Haggis. He is totally innocent, and willing to fully cooperate with the authorities so the truth comes out quickly,” Chaudhry said.

In a statement expressing support for the woman, Allora Fest has called for more awareness for gender equality and other similar issues while not outright condemning Haggis for his reported crime.

“At the same time, we express full solidarity with the woman involved in the matter. The themes chosen for the Festival are those of equality, gender equality, solidarity. As professionals and women we are dismayed and hope that the Festival will be an instrument of information and awareness on such a topical and dramatically increasing theme,” they said.

Haggis is the first screenwriter to write two Best Picture winners in a row, with the movies “Million Dollar Baby” and “Crash.” This is not Haggis’ first accusation of sexual misconduct: publicist Haleigh Breest accused him of raping her and filed a case against him in 2018. Three other women have also come forward claiming that Haggis had sexually assaulted them.

“The truth she knows and has lived is that behind the façade of these comments lies another predator, a man willing to force himself on a young woman less than half his age and take pleasure in the fear and pain he caused her,” Breest’s complaint said. “Ms. Breest will not look the other way any longer.”

Haggis has denied all sexual misconduct and assault charges against him.