Actress Deborah Rennard is proud of all the women standing up and speaking out against sexual misconduct, but she is not automatically siding with all accusers.
One person facing multiple sexual assault accusations is Rennard’s ex-husband, Canadian filmmaker Paul Haggis. Rennard, 58, was asked by Deadline to share her thoughts on the allegations against Haggis, and the Lionheart actress came to the defence of her husband of 12 years.
“I have an unwavering support for the brave women, and some men, who have come forward to speak out against sexual predators in the film business,” the actress began. “In all the years I have known, been married to, worked together with, and been Paul’s ex, I have never known anyone more generous, caring, or selfless than him.”
READ MORE: Paul Haggis resigns from charity, set to be deposed
She shared a story of Haggis’ selflessness: “When I met Paul, some 26 years ago, his credit rating was terrible – because he had co-signed mortgages in order that six of his friends could buy homes. And to a one they had all defaulted on those loans, bankrupting Paul.”
Rennard has no doubt in her mind, heart and soul that Haggis is innocent of the multiple rape charges he is facing in a civil lawsuit. “I know Paul. And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt and in my heart that he would never have committed any violent acts against women,” she insisted. “I know it because I know his character, and I know these allegations go against the core of who he is.”
READ MORE: Paul Haggis sues woman he says is threatening to extort him
Rennard continued, “He was in no physical condition to restrain a young woman against her will. Also, the apartment in which he lives, that we used to share, has an elevator door that opens right into the apartment. All that is required to leave is simply to press the elevator button. No key is required. Ms. Breest alleges she couldn’t escape from Paul – however, anyone can simply walk to the elevator door and push a button to exit, or walk to either of the fire escape doors, located in both bedrooms.”
You can read Rennard’s entire statement, in which she also opens up about her husband’s public departure from the Church of Scientology, below.
A STATEMENT FROM AN EX-WIFE
“As a woman, and an ex-actress in Hollywood, I have an unwavering support for the brave women, and some men, who
have come forward to speak out against sexual predators in the film business. But even great movements by brave and
sincere people can be used cynically.
I am not courageous. I don’t go out of my way to stick my neck out for others or champion an underdog. That would be
my ex-husband Paul Haggis. In all the years I have known, been married to, worked together with, and been Paul’s ex, I
have never known anyone more generous, caring, or selfless than him. When I met Paul, some 26 years ago, his credit
rating was terrible – because he had co-signed mortgages in order that six of his friends could buy homes. And to a one
they had all defaulted on those loans, bankrupting Paul.
Aghast, I asked how he could have put himself in that kind of position. His response was simple, “they’re my friends
and they needed it”. That is Paul in a nutshell.
When Paul left Scientology in such a bold and vocal way, I didn’t say anything. I didn’t feel comfortable speaking out
or even publicly supporting him, though privately I did. But now Paul’s name is being impugned, and I find I cannot sit
by in silence. I feel a responsibility to stand up for the man who always stands up for others.
In 2010, when Paul was in Haiti right after the earthquake, he discovered there was no free high school for the children
of the slums. Against all odds, he fought tirelessly to fundraise and build one. Today, four thousand of the poorest
children in the western hemisphere are getting a secondary education and the chance to break out of the cycle of poverty
because of him. He resigned from his charity only because of his paramount concern for this organization.
In December of 2017 Paul filed a lawsuit against a woman who had demanded a nine million dollar “settlement” in exchange
for her not going public about her supposed claim. Paul would not negotiate or capitulate. Instead, he went straight
to the District Attorney’s Office – who I understand did not know anything about this woman’s story – and insisted that
they question him in detail. He also filed a suit against the woman for emotional distress. In doing so, Paul was the
one who brought this woman’s accusations out publicly- not the woman, who was demanding millions of dollars in hush
money.
Paul has also categorically denied these new anonymous accusations of violent behavior. I don’t know the women who
are making these allegations against Paul; because they are anonymous. How is it even possible, in America in the year
2018, that someone can destroy another’s reputation and not even have to give their name?
I know Paul. And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt and in my heart that he would never have committed any violent acts
against women. I know it because I know his character, and I know these allegations go against the core of who he is.
But then there are also facts that back up my convictions.
At the time of the claimed incident with Ms. Breest in January of 2013, Paul had just had serious back surgery. On
his doctor’s orders, he wore a surgical brace under his shirt through the recovery period. He wore it until his birthday
in March and during that time had to be very careful how he stood or sat. He was in no physical condition to restrain a
young woman against her will. Also, the apartment in which he lives, that we used to share, has an elevator door that
opens right into the apartment. All that is required to leave is simply to press the elevator button. No key is
required. Ms. Breest alleges she couldn’t escape from Paul – however anyone can simply walk to the elevator door and push
a button to exit, or walk to either of the fire escape doors, located in both bedrooms.
Then there is the claim by an anonymous woman that, in 1996, she was an in-house publicist working on Paul’s TV show, and
that he allegedly raped her one night late in his office. In 1996 Paul and I were working together on that series. There
was no in-house “publicist” working in our offices – I would know, I had the office adjacent to Paul’s. We frequently
worked late, and I always stayed with Paul and we always left together. Although we were not yet married, we were
living together, and together we would make the half hour drive home. Every morning. Every night.
What I know for a certainty, even in those moments as a wife or ex-wife where I was furious with him at times, is that
Paul is not the type of man who would ever commit an act of violence or aggression against a woman. He has never forced
me to do anything against my will; has never been violent to me, no matter the provocation. This is not a man who has a
“pattern of violence against women” as is so luridly claimed.
And here is what else I know: Paul would use his dying breath defending a friend who was under attack or in need. He always
stands up and fights for what is right, no matter the consequences. And if one of Paul’s friends or family members,
a good acquaintance – or even a stranger – like the homeless man he had move in with him (and me!) after his first marriage
ended – were ever in need, Paul would bend over backwards to help or defend them, because that’s who he is. But who is
the champion for the champion of the underdog? I simply cannot stay quiet and let a good man’s reputation be impugned.
I’ve noticed lately there seems to be a shortage of good men, and I don’t happen to think we have any to spare.
Paul and I had our troubles. If we didn’t we wouldn’t have separated in late 2009, and we wouldn’t have divorced after
that. He has flaws, as do we all, he is by no stretch of the imagination a perfect man. But I know Paul better than just
about anyone on the planet. I have seen him in the best and worst of times, I know who he is inside and out, and I know
he would never use coercion, threats, or violence to have sex with a woman.
Sincerely,
Deborah Rennard
January 10, 2018”
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