Leah Remini testifies Church of Scientology faked rape claim against ex-member Paul Haggis

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 is Paul who is the victim here.”

“The purpose of Scientology lawsuits is just to destroy your life,” Remini said, appearing via video link from Beverly Hills, with an Emmy Award statue visible in the background.

Lawyers for Haggis, 69, called the “King of Queens” star to the stand in his trial over the suit from denied the accusation, claiming the encounter was consensual.

He claims the suit is part of a vendetta by Scientology for speaking out against the church when he broke with it in 2009 after three decades of membership.

Remini — arguably one of the most prominent ex-Scientologists — told the court about the repercussions of disavowing the church and acted as a character witness for Haggis.

The 52-year-old Brooklyn native said she agreed to testify because Haggis is a “decent man and father and friend,” and she is an “advocate for people who have been victimized by Scientology policies.” 

She claimed the lawsuit is Scientology’s way of punishing Haggis for speaking out against the church.

“You would have to retain lawyers and that would cost a lot of money and the purpose of this is to have you financially ruined so that the last thing you would want to do is to get into a battle with Scientology,” Remini said.

The church will “gather anything they can to hurt you and it does hurt,” she added. Remini told jurors she never saw Haggis act violent or sexually inappropriate towards women.

During cross-examination, the actress admitted that you can be both a former member of Scientology and a rapist.

She was also asked: “Are you worried about the church’s retaliation against you today?” — replying, “Of course.”

In a statement Monday, the Church of Scientology said: “No matter how much false testimony Haggis and his attorney elicit from Remini to bolster his attempts at distracting the jury, the fact that the Church is not involved will not change.

“Outrageously, Remini accuses four women she does not know, who have no connection to Scientology whatsoever, of committing perjury,” spokeswoman Karin Pouw said in the statement.

“For over a decade, Haggis has penned false stories about the Church in an effort to distract from whatever bad acts he has engaged in. The church has nothing to do with the claims against Haggis nor does it have any relation to the accusers or to the attorneys litigating the case.”

The “Million Dollar Baby” screenwriter previously took the stand in Manhattan Supreme Court, telling jurors: “I’m incredibly nervous of course and I’m very happy because for five years I have been unable to clear my name and now I will.”

His ex-wife Deborah Rennard testified on his behalf, too, telling jurors that even though Haggis cheated on her “with roughly 20 different women,” she didn’t believe the accusations again him.

Haggis has been accused of rape and sexual assault by four other women besides Breest. 

Attorneys rested their case on Monday and closing arguments will be begin Wednesday following a court recess for Election Day on Tuesday.