Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis is in the news for all the wrong reasons. The Canadian filmmaker was arrested for allegedly misbehaving with a young woman in Italy. He was taken into custody by authorities in southern Italy for aggravated sexual assault. The news was reported by Italian news agencies with statements from local witness.

A Brindisi prosecutors told the ANSA and AGI agencies in a statement, “The director and screenwriter was seriously suspected of the crimes of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated personal injury, crimes committed to the prejudice of a young foreign woman.”

The alleged victim had been staying with Haggis. “The suspect allegedly forced the young woman, whom he met some time ago, to undergo sexual intercourse. The woman was forced to seek medical care,” suggested the reports.

Haggis immediately hired an Italian lawyer, Michele Laforgia. He denied the allegations citing, .”Make enquiries as soon as possible, I am totally innocent.” No further information was given by the agency or Haggis’s lawyer. 

Paul Haggis was expected to headline the Allora Fest Film Festival in Italy this week. He had arrived in the city of Ostuni in the province of Brindisi for the same. Prosecutors Antonio Negro and Livia Orlando are now conducting the investigation.

(Featured Image Credits: Twitter)