Cover-up of abusive remarks alleged in arrest of Gibson
Cover-up of abusive remarks alleged in arrest of Gibson
By Andrew Blankstein, Stuart Pfeifer and Jeffrey L. Rabin
Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
Published July 31, 2006
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating whether Mel Gibson received preferential treatment when he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and whether officials tried to cover up allegedly anti-Semitic remarks and offensive behavior.
Gibson's publicist, Alan Nierob, would not elaborate Sunday beyond a non-specific apology that the star had issued the day before.
The probe comes after the celebrity news Web site TMZ.com published portions of the arresting deputy's hand-written report saying Gibson, 50, was abusive, shouted anti-Jewish slurs, attempted to escape from custody and boasted that he "owned Malibu."
A source close to the investigation confirmed that the pages posted by the Web site were authentic.
In the pages posted by TMZ.com, the arresting deputy--identified as James Mee by the Web site--wrote that after at first cooperating, Gibson became "increasingly belligerent."
The deputy said he told Gibson "that if he remained cooperative, I would transport him without handcuffing."
Instead, he said Gibson tried to flee back to his car. Once subdued and handcuffed, the actor told the deputy: "You're going to regret you ever did this to me."
Gibson, the report continued, then said that he "owned Malibu" and launched a "barrage of anti-Semitic remarks." Those remarks included Gibson's statement that "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world." The report said Gibson asked the officer, "Are you a Jew?"
A sheriff's spokesman initially told reporters that Gibson was arrested Friday "without incident." And the Web site alleged on Saturday that sheriff's supervisors at the Malibu/Lost Hills station tried to downplay the actor's behavior.
"All that stuff about favorable treatment is something that needs to be looked at," said Mike Gennaco, who heads the sheriff's Office of Independent Review, which investigates allegations of officer misconduct and monitors the department.
"I'd like to see if there was a legitimate law enforcement reason for asking that the report be altered," said Gennaco, adding that his investigation will look at Gibson's ties to the department. Gibson participated in a charity created by Sheriff Lee Baca.
The actor had issued a statement Saturday apologizing for his "despicable" behavior.
Gibson came under fire from some Jewish groups with the release of "Passion of the Christ," which he co-wrote and directed. Some Jewish leaders said they found it painful, offensive and capable of stoking anti-Semitism. Gibson disputed the allegations, saying the film about the final hours' of Jesus' life was meant to inspire, not offend. In an April 2004 program on CNN, the actor denied he was an anti-Semite.
Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, called Gibson's apology "unremorseful and insufficient."
By Andrew Blankstein, Stuart Pfeifer and Jeffrey L. Rabin
Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
Published July 31, 2006
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating whether Mel Gibson received preferential treatment when he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and whether officials tried to cover up allegedly anti-Semitic remarks and offensive behavior.
Gibson's publicist, Alan Nierob, would not elaborate Sunday beyond a non-specific apology that the star had issued the day before.
The probe comes after the celebrity news Web site TMZ.com published portions of the arresting deputy's hand-written report saying Gibson, 50, was abusive, shouted anti-Jewish slurs, attempted to escape from custody and boasted that he "owned Malibu."
A source close to the investigation confirmed that the pages posted by the Web site were authentic.
In the pages posted by TMZ.com, the arresting deputy--identified as James Mee by the Web site--wrote that after at first cooperating, Gibson became "increasingly belligerent."
The deputy said he told Gibson "that if he remained cooperative, I would transport him without handcuffing."
Instead, he said Gibson tried to flee back to his car. Once subdued and handcuffed, the actor told the deputy: "You're going to regret you ever did this to me."
Gibson, the report continued, then said that he "owned Malibu" and launched a "barrage of anti-Semitic remarks." Those remarks included Gibson's statement that "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world." The report said Gibson asked the officer, "Are you a Jew?"
A sheriff's spokesman initially told reporters that Gibson was arrested Friday "without incident." And the Web site alleged on Saturday that sheriff's supervisors at the Malibu/Lost Hills station tried to downplay the actor's behavior.
"All that stuff about favorable treatment is something that needs to be looked at," said Mike Gennaco, who heads the sheriff's Office of Independent Review, which investigates allegations of officer misconduct and monitors the department.
"I'd like to see if there was a legitimate law enforcement reason for asking that the report be altered," said Gennaco, adding that his investigation will look at Gibson's ties to the department. Gibson participated in a charity created by Sheriff Lee Baca.
The actor had issued a statement Saturday apologizing for his "despicable" behavior.
Gibson came under fire from some Jewish groups with the release of "Passion of the Christ," which he co-wrote and directed. Some Jewish leaders said they found it painful, offensive and capable of stoking anti-Semitism. Gibson disputed the allegations, saying the film about the final hours' of Jesus' life was meant to inspire, not offend. In an April 2004 program on CNN, the actor denied he was an anti-Semite.
Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, called Gibson's apology "unremorseful and insufficient."
posted by Carlos T Mock at 10:53 AM
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