Leah Remini Defends Paul Haggis Towards Rape Accusation In Courtroom, Says He’s A Sufferer Of Scientology

Leah Remini is standing up for a fellow former Scientology member — which might ordinarily be commendable. However this time the pal is Paul Haggis — and the setting is his civil rape trial.

In case you don’t recall, the Crash director was sued by publicist Haleigh Breest again in December 2017 for allegedly raping her at his Manhattan house following a film premiere in 2013. Paul has denied the accusation, claiming the encounter was consensual. For the reason that accusation 4 extra ladies even have come ahead with sexual assault allegations in opposition to Million Greenback Child screenwriter.

The trial started final month, with the 69-year-old filmmaker’s authorized workforce taking an uncommon tactic: primarily arguing that Scientology had fabricated the allegations in opposition to him. Paul defected from the church in 2013, changing into an outspoken critic of Scientology — alongside Leah. And now, the 52-year-old actress stepped ahead to bolster his declare within the case.

Associated: Woman Convicted Of Killing Her Alleged Rapist Escapes Custody, Risking 20 Years In Jail

Throughout the trial on Monday, Leah appeared within the courtroom in New York by way of video to testify as a personality witness, the place she claimed she, Paul, and Mike Rinder are the highest “enemies” of the church. The Kings of Queens star stated they face “fixed harassment and stalking” by members who present up not simply at her home however her relations’ properties, including:

“It’s a relentless menace. It’s not one thing that has ended.”

Leah, who famously made the Scientology and the Aftermath docuseries on A&E, claimed the church makes use of lawsuits to attempt to damage former members financially and can “collect something they will to harm you.” The previous The Discuss host additionally described Paul as a “caring … heat … humorous” particular person, noting that the accusations in opposition to him don’t match what she has recognized about him for the previous 30 years. His lawyer Priya Chaudhry requested:

“Haleigh Breest claims Mr. Haggis pressured himself on her sexually. Is that constant together with your information of Mr. Haggis?”

Leah answered:

“By no means.”

Simply because somebody acts respectable with you, it doesn’t imply he wouldn’t be able to hurting somebody like this behind closed doorways… When requested if the rape allegations modified her “opinion of him,” Leah merely acknowledged:

“No.”

Throughout the cross-examination, Haleigh’s lawyer Zoe Salzman requested Leah about what she knew concerning the evening Paul allegedly assaulted her shopper. She first questioned:

“You agree Ms. Remini that an individual can each be each a former Scientologist and a rapist, proper?”

Leah responded:

“Sure.”

The lawyer then requested:

“You weren’t in Mr. Haggis’ house on Jan. 13, 2013, right?”

When the Kevin Can Wait alum replied “right,” Zoe went on:

“You haven’t any private information of what occurred to Haleigh Breest there that evening?”

Leah stated:

“No, simply what Paul informed me.”

Leah famous Paul informed her their encounter had been consensual — and clearly she believes him. As for his or her claims of Scientology setting all this up? The church has denied having a hand within the matter, noting they ask everybody part of the church to observe the legislation. And his attorneys haven’t been in a position to present any proof that backs the declare.

We’ll should see what occurs subsequent with this trial. Reactions to Leah’s testimony, Perezcious paralegals? Do YOU suppose the jury will consider Haggis was framed by Scientology? Tell us within the feedback beneath.

[Image via FayesVision/WENN, Guillermo Proano/WENN]