Actress Leah Remini testified Monday that the lawsuit accusing Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis of rape was fabricated by the Church of Scientology — telling Manhattan jurors “it's Paul who's the sufferer right here.”
“The aim of Scientology lawsuits is simply to destroy your life,” Remini mentioned, showing through video hyperlink from Beverly Hills, with an Emmy Award statue seen within the background.
Legal professionals for Haggis, 69, referred to as the “King of Queens” star to the stand in his trial over the go well with from former publicist Haleigh Breest, who alleges he raped her in his Soho condominium after a movie premiere on Jan. 31, 2013. The “Crash” director has denied the accusation, claiming the encounter was consensual.
He claims the go well with is a part of a vendetta by Scientology for talking out towards the church when he broke with it in 2009 after three a long time of membership.
Remini — arguably one of many most distinguished ex-Scientologists — informed the courtroom concerning the repercussions of disavowing the church and acted as a personality witness for Haggis.
The 52-year-old Brooklyn native mentioned she agreed to testify as a result of Haggis is a “first rate man and father and good friend,” and he or she is an “advocate for individuals who have been victimized by Scientology insurance policies.”
She claimed the lawsuit is Scientology’s means of punishing Haggis for talking out towards the church.
“You would need to retain legal professionals and that will value some huge cash and the aim of that is to have you ever financially ruined in order that the very last thing you'll wish to do is to get right into a battle with Scientology,” Remini mentioned.
The church will “collect something they'll to harm you and it does harm,” she added. Remini informed jurors she by no means noticed Haggis act violent or sexually inappropriate in the direction of girls.
Throughout cross-examination, the actress admitted you could be each a former member of Scientology and a rapist.
She was additionally requested: “Are you fearful concerning the church’s retaliation towards you right now?” — replying, “After all.”
In a press release Monday, the Church of Scientology mentioned: “Regardless of how a lot false testimony Haggis and his legal professional elicit from Remini to bolster his makes an attempt at distracting the jury, the truth that the Church just isn't concerned won't change.
“Outrageously, Remini accuses 4 girls she doesn't know, who don't have any connection to Scientology in any way, of committing perjury,” spokeswoman Karin Pouw mentioned within the assertion.
“For over a decade, Haggis has penned false tales concerning the Church in an effort to distract from no matter unhealthy acts he has engaged in. The church has nothing to do with the claims towards Haggis nor does it have any relation to the accusers or to the attorneys litigating the case.”
The “Million Greenback Child” screenwriter beforehand took the stand in Manhattan Supreme Court docket, telling jurors: “I’m extremely nervous in fact and I’m very glad as a result of for 5 years I've been unable to clear my identify and now I'll.”
His ex-wife Deborah Rennard testified on his behalf, too, telling jurors that although Haggis cheated on her “with roughly 20 completely different girls,” she didn’t imagine the accusations once more him.
Haggis has been accused of rape and sexual assault by 4 different girls apart from Breest.
Attorneys rested their case on Monday and shutting arguments might be start Wednesday following a courtroom recess for Election Day on Tuesday.
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