Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A fresh audio recording in which "Lethal Weapon" star Mel Gibson appears to acknowledge beating his Russian-born girlfriend surfaced Monday, further damaging the Hollywood star's reputation.
It follows a recording also posted on Radaronline.com in which the Oscar-winning "Braveheart" star refers to black people using racial slurs.
"What kind of a man is that?" Gibson's now ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva asks the actor in the eight-minute recording. "Hitting a woman when she's holding a child in her hands? Breaking her teeth twice in the face! What kind of man is that?"
Gibson's response: "Oh, you're all angry now! You know what, you fucking deserved it!"
The tapes are part of the ugly breakup between Grigorieva, 40, and "Mad Max" Gibson, 54, following a January 6 beating she allegedly took from him. Gibson allegedly knocked out some of Grigorieva's teeth in the fracas.
Gibson and Grigorieva fathered a girl, Lucia, in October, months after Gibson divorced Robyn, his wife of nearly 30 years and mother of his first seven children.
Police in Malibu said Thursday they were investigating a domestic violence case at the couple's home, but gave few details.
According to the celebrity website TMZ.com, Grigorieva made the recordings after the January fight.
A Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman said Monday police would also be investigating the tapes of Gibson's alleged tirade, once they are voluntarily turned over.
"We are supposed to be getting the tapes this week," Whitmore told TMZ.com without identifying the supplier.
Gibson's lawyers claim that Grigorieva, a singer who has a child from a prior relationship, is trying to extort more money in their separation settlement.
On the tape, Grigorieva denies it. "I don't give a damn if you don't spend another penny on me," she tells Gibson.
"I don't care I am just fearing for the life of my daughter."
Gibson accuses her of leaving when he stopped spending money on her, but she answers: "Because I am saving my life and I'm saving my daughter's life! I don't give a damn about my music and I don't give a damn about you spending another penny! I'm saving her life! You almost killed us, did you forget?"
One consequence of the rants was that Gibson's agency, William Morris Endeavor, dumped the actor on Friday.
Gibson's longtime representative at the agency, Ed Limato, died on July 3. Limato however had moved to William Morris from a different agency in 2008, and brought along Gibson as his client.
William Morris co-chief executive Ari Emanuel - brother of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel - had blasted Gibson in a 2006 article following his drunken-driving arrest and subsequent revelations of anti-Semitic remarks he made to police.
Australia-born Gibson returned to acting after an eight-year absence, starring in January's action thriller "Edge of Darkness."
Gibson's re-emergence was the latest step on the road to rehabilitation following the 2006 incident.
On Friday, Radaronline.com posted a recording in which Gibson is heard exploding in a rage when Grigorieva confirms that she had breast implants. He then accuses her of dressing in a provocative manner.
"You look like a fucking bitch in heat. And if you get raped by a pack of niggers it will be your fault. Alright? Because you provoked it," he said.
Unmarried, the couple announced their friendly separation in April, but according to local media Grigorieva decided to take Lucia's custody battle to court in light of Gibson's abusive behavior.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments