Mel Gibson DUI incident: Difference between revisions
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#REDIRECT [[Mel_Gibson#DUI_incident_with_antisemitic_remarks]] |
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[[Image:Mel Gibson taken July-28-2006.jpg|thumb|Mel Gibson's [[mugshot]] from his 28 July 2006 arrest for DUI]] |
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'''[[Mel Gibson]]''' was arrested on suspicion of [[driving under the influence]] (DUI) of alcohol after being stopped for speeding (87 mph/140 km/h in a 45 mph/72 km/h zone) on [[California State Route 1|Pacific Coast Highway]] in [[Malibu, California|Malibu]], [[California]],<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=398182&in_page_id=1773 | title=Mel Gibson 'in anti-Semitic rant' after drink drive arrest| publisher=Daily Mail | date=July 29, 2006}}</ref> on July 28, 2006, at 2:36am [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]].<ref name=WND>WorldNetDaily: time of arrest/release, ''Mel Gibson DUI bust'', 28-Jul-2006,[http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51287 WorldNetDaily-DUI]</ref> A [[breathalyzer]] test measured Gibson’s [[Blood alcohol content|blood-alcohol]] level as "0.12%" (the state's legal limit is 0.08%), and next to him was an [[open container]] of [[Tequila]], which was three-quarters full.<ref name = LAscript>LA Times: transcript of verified original police report, [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-gibson1aug01-transripit,1,7043760.story LA-Times-transcript]</ref> Gibson was described by the arresting officer James Mee as co-operative until arrested, at which point he became belligerent and experienced mood swings. While handcuffed in the car, Gibson made [[Antisemitism|antisemitic]] remarks to Mee, who is [[Jew]]ish, saying "Fucking Jews...the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."<ref name="New York Times July 30, 2006">[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/30/us/30gibson.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=%22jews%20are%20responsible%22%20gibson&st=cse ''New York Times'' July 30, 2006]</ref> Gibson was released on bail at 9 am PDT. [[TMZ.com|TMZ]] broke the story of Gibson's arrest for DUI on July 28 at 7 pm PDT and later that night posted photocopies of an unofficial arrest report. The next day Gibson confessed to driving under the influence and to "despicable" behavior during his arrest and a frenzy of media coverage followed. |
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== Arrest == |
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On the 28 July 2006, [[Mel Gibson]] was arrested while driving a 2006 [[Lexus LS 430]]<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14080210/ | title = Mel Gibson apologizes after DUI arrest | publisher = [[Associated Press]] | date = 2006-07-31 | accessdate = 2006-08-03}}</ref> on the [[California State Route 1|Pacific Coast Highway]] in [[Malibu, California|Malibu]], [[California]] and charged with [[driving under the influence]] at 87 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=398182&in_page_id=1773 | title=Mel Gibson arrested for drink driving | publisher=Daily Mail | date=July 29, 2006}}</ref> He was stopped by members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, who administered a breath test{{Clarify|date=March 2011}} measuring his blood alcohol content as being 0.12%, 1.5 times the legal limit of 0.08%. During the arrest, he was uncooperative and made anti-Semitic remarks to the arresting officers. His bail was set at $5,000 and he was released.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5226204.stm | title=Gibson charged with drink-driving | date=2006-07-28 | publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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Later that evening, a four-page portion of an allegedly redacted or suppressed police report was posted on the entertainment website [[TMZ.com]] and later online at [[Slate (magazine)|Slate.com]].)<ref>http://www.slate.com/id/2146842/entry/2146843/</ref> The report is purported to be part an original written by the arresting officer, Deputy James Mee, before he was allegedly instructed by his superiors to omit details about Gibson's [[anti-Semitic]] comments and abusive behavior.<ref name="tmzcover">{{cite web | url=http://www.tmz.com/2006/07/28/gibsons-anti-semitic-tirade-alleged-cover-up/ | title=Gibson's Anti-Semitic Tirade -- Alleged Cover Up | publisher=AOL | work=tmz.com | accessdate=2006-07-29}}</ref> The leaked police report indicates that Gibson asked one officer if he was Jewish and stated, "Fucking Jews...the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."<ref name="New York Times July 30, 2006"/><ref name="tmzcover" /> The report further alleges that Gibson refused to be transported to the police station and had to be restrained. According to the report, Gibson's [[blood alcohol content]] was measured at 0.12% (the legal blood alcohol level limit for driving in [[California]] is 0.08%).<ref name="tmzcover" /> TMZ also reported allegations that were not found in the four-page police report, including that Gibson continued his tirade at the police station, where he was videotaped asking a female officer, "What are you looking at, sugar[[breast|tits]]?" and that he attempted to urinate on the floor.<ref name="tmzcover" /> TMZ later alleged that Gibson has been stopped twice before in Malibu for reckless driving but was released without a citation. |
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<ref>[http://www.tmz.com/2006/07/31/exclusive-gibson-skated-two-times-before/ Gibson Skated Twice Before]</ref> and in 2010, TMZ's [[Harvey Levin]] said that Gibson's first statement to the arresting officer was about his wife.<ref>{{cite news | last=Levin| first=Harvey| title=TMZ Live: Mel, Britney and Kelsey Grammer | url=http://www.tmz.com/2010/07/01/tmz-live-your-questions-answered/ | publisher= TMZ.com| date=2010-07-01 | accessdate=2010-09-06 | quote=With the DUI, what she said to him was, if you do anything again that will be bad before their child was getting married, she said that was it. And that's why the first thing Mel said to the cop was 'I'm screwed with my wife.' That was the first thing he said. }}</ref> |
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==Confession and apology== |
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Gibson responded to the TMZ.com report on July 29, 2006 by admitting to "belligerent behavior" and "despicable" remarks, and also apologized to the sheriff's deputies and everyone else he offended<ref>[http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2006/07/29/entertainment/e133616D89.DTL Mel Gibson's Statement on His DUI Arrest]</ref> Gibson's publicist announced that Gibson entered an out-patient addiction recovery program<ref name="rehab">{{cite magazine| article |url = http://www.starmagazine.com/celebrity_news_gossip/star/9313 | title=EXCLUSIVE: MEL IN RECOVERY PROGRAM | publisher=Star Magazine | date=July 31, 2006 | accessdate=2006-09-03}}</ref> leading to criticism that he had not entered a residential program.<ref name="promises">{{cite news|url=http://cbs2.com/entertainment/entertainment_story_215212947.html|title=Mel Gibson's Rehab Choice Raises Questions|publisher=Associated Press through CBS News|date=August 3, 2006|accessdate=2006-09-03 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060813002716/http://cbs2.com/entertainment/entertainment_story_215212947.html |archivedate = August 13, 2006}}</ref> An unnamed source from Gibson's inner circle claimed that Gibson was on the verge of suicide the night of his arrest and was experiencing [[Blackout (alcohol related amnaesia)|blackouts]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/exclusive-mel-gibson-was-really-on-the-verge-of-suicide-before-his-dui-arrest-this-was-a-death-wish/ |
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| title = Mel Gibson Was 'Really On The Verge Of Suicide' Before His DUI Arrest; 'This Was A Death Wish' | work = DeadlineHollywoodDaily.com | date = 2006-07-31 | first = Nikki | last = Finke | accessdate = 2006-08-03 }}</ref> |
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[[Mainstream media]] coverage of the Gibson’s alleged behavior during the DUI arrest began soon after the release of his apology to the Sheriff’s deputies, and it was featured on the front page of several [[tabloids]], including ''[[The New York Post]]''; many of these carried headlines along the lines of "Mad Mel" (a reference to Gibson's [[Mad Max]] film).{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} [[Abraham Foxman]] of the [[Anti-Defamation League]] issued a press release stating that Gibson's apology (with no explicit acknowledgment of anti-semitic remarks) was "unremorseful and insufficient" and that the ADL hoped "that Hollywood now would realize the bigot in their midst and that they will distance themselves from this anti-Semite."<ref>{{cite news |title=ADL Says Mel Gibson's Anti-Semitic Tirade Reveals His True Self; Actor's Apology 'Not Good Enough' |url=http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/4861_12.htm |first= |last= |publisher=[[Anti-Defamation League]] |date=2006-07-31}}</ref> |
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On August 1, 2006 Gibson specifically apologized for his anti-Semitic remarks and asked to meet with leaders of the Jewish community to affect healing.<ref name="apology2"/>}} [[Abraham Foxman]] accepted his apology on behalf of the [[Anti-defamation league|ADL]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/4862_12.htm | title = ADL Welcomes Mel Gibson's Apology To The Jewish Community | work = [[Anti-Defamation League]] | date = 2006-08-01 | accessdate = 2006-08-03 }}</ref> |
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and Holocaust survivor [[Flory Van Beek]] extended her forgiveness.<ref name="apology2">[http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14135592/ Gibson's statement about anti-Semitic remarks]</ref> |
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===Media coverage=== |
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In the summer of 2006, Mel Gibson's arrest and his subsequent apologies sparked a flurry of media reporting and commentary at a time when the major news story was the [[2006 Lebanon War|2006 Israel-Hezbollah War]], in its 17th day at the time of the DUI incident. Media figures debated the appropriate response to Gibson's alleged remarks and whether those remarks proved [[bigotry]]. Some members of the media expressed dismay that the coverage of Gibson's DUI arrest had become excessive. |
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Commentators offered differing opinions on the effects of alcohol and the disease of [[alcoholism]] in relation to remarks made while intoxicated. On the [[MSNBC]] program ''[[Scarborough Country]]'', show producer Mike Yarvitz drank to raise his blood alcohol level to 0.12, matching Gibson's level in the report. Yarvitz emphasized "not feeling anti-Semitic" after drinking. [[Washington Post]] columnist [[Eugene Robinson (journalist)|Eugene Robinson]] wrote, "Well, I'm sorry about his relapse, but I just don't buy the idea that a little tequila, or even a lot of tequila, can somehow turn an unbiased person into a raging anti-Semite - or a racist, or a homophobe, or a bigot of any kind, for that matter. Alcohol removes inhibitions, allowing all kinds of opinions to escape uncensored. But you can't blame alcohol for forming and nurturing those opinions in the first place."<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/31/AR2006073100921.html Booze and Bigotry: Mel Gibson: It Wasn't Just the Tequila Talking] August 1, 2006</ref> [[John Derbyshire]], a critic of ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'', wrote in the [[National Review]], "As little as I care for Mel and his splatter-fest Brit-hating oeuvre, though, I care even less for the schoolmarmish, prissy, squealing, skirt-clutching, sissified, feminized, pansified, preening moral vanity of the vile and anti-human [[Political Correctness]] cult." He went on to write, "The guy was drunk, for heaven's sake. We all say and do dumb things when we are drunk. If I were to be judged on my drunken escapades and follies, I should be utterly excluded from polite society, and so would you, unless you are some kind of saint."<ref>[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MjE1MzMwOTM3NTQxNDJjOTM2MDlhODM2YTE4NjUxOWE July Diary] August 2, 2006</ref> [[David Horowitz (conservative writer)|David Horowitz]] on the August 1 edition of [[Fox News]]' ''[[Hannity & Colmes]]'' said "People deserve compassion when they're in this kind of trouble. I think it would be very ungracious for people to deny it to him."<ref>[http://mediamatters.org/items/200608030002 Conservative media figures jumping to Mel Gibson's defense] Aug 2, 2006</ref> Radio host [[Michael Medved]], a strong supporter of ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'', expressed humiliation at Gibson's anti-Semitic rant and condemned it. Nevertheless, Medved suggested reconciliation between the Jewish community and Gibson was preferable to shunning Gibson.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2006-08-02-gibson-edit_x.htm Reconciliation should follow Mel's Malibu meltdown] Aug 2, 2006</ref> |
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The media also sought out the opinions of medical specialists on whether alcohol released a person’s true feelings. According to [[Substance dependence|addiction]] [[psychologist]] G. Alan Marlatt, "Alcohol is not a truth serum…It may or may not indicate his true feelings."<ref name="MarilynElias">{{cite news | publisher = [[USA Today]] | url = http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-07-31-gibson-alcohol_x.htm | title = Alcohol loosens tongue, but only Gibson knows true feelings| author = Marilyn Elias| date = 2006-07-31 | accessdate = 2008-08-03 }}</ref> Addiction [[psychiatrist]] Bryon Adinoff stated "Clearly, Jews are on his mind. He made ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'', and many reacted negatively to how Jews were depicted. Now we have a war going on in the [[Middle East]]. It's something that's on his mind, or it probably wouldn't come out when he had some alcohol.”<ref name="MarilynElias" /> According to [[psychologist]] William Iacono, the remarks attributed to Gibson "could reflect pent-up frustration and anger at how his life has changed since he made the movie. People can lash out when they're drunk, and we don't know how deeply they believe what they're saying."<ref name=" MarilynElias" /> Addiction specialist Dr. [[Drew Pinsky]] also disagreed with the notion of alcohol as a "truth serum", saying "even when they are mildly intoxicated, if somebody is truly an addict...the thinking associated with addiction is profoundly affected."<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0608/02/sbt.01.html] "Mel Gibson`s Legal Mess; Can Mel Atone?" Showbiz Tonight Transcript, August 2, 2006</ref><ref>[http://clipblast.com/clip/174967] Video: Tucker talks to Dr. Drew Pinsky about addiction and rehabilitation</ref> |
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Some commentors asserted that the media coverage of Gibson's DUI arrest was unbalanced or excessive. [[Boston Globe]] columnist [[Jeff Jacoby (columnist)|Jeff Jacoby]] noted the large disparity in media coverage between the Gibson DUI arrest and a more serious [[anti-Semitic]] incident that occurred on the same day, the deadly [[Seattle Jewish Federation shooting]].<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/08/06/a_tale_of_2_stories_about_anti_semitism/ A tale of 2 stories about anti-Semitism], August 6, 2006</ref> |
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A [[Fox News]] poll reported on August 11, 2006, that a large number of Americans would not allow the incident to affect their decision about whether to watch Gibson's future movies, reporting "eight out of 10 people say his arrest and negative comments about Jewish people will not make a difference to them," while 10% "probably" and 6% "definitely" would not attend Gibson's future movies.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,208025,00.html FOX Poll: Gibson Still OK for Many Americans] 11-Aug-2006</ref> |
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===Hollywood and celebrity reactions=== |
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The public reaction from [[Hollywood]] was mixed and muted, with a few critics denouncing Gibson in the press and Gibson’s friends and co-workers supporting him.<ref>{{cite news | title = Hollywood reacts to Gibson furore | date = 2006-08-01 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5234698.stm| publisher = [[BBC]]}}</ref> After the incident, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] canceled a planned television mini-series about Holocaust survivor Flory Van Beek to be produced by Gibson's [[Icon Productions]], citing lack of progress.<ref>{{cite news | title = Mel Gibson: How a Hollywood hero lost the plot | first = Andrew | last = Gumbel | date = 2006-08-01 | url = http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/features/story.jsp?story=700842 | publisher = [[The Belfast Telegraph]] | accessdate = 2006-08-03 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> |
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On July 30, 2006, [[Endeavor Agency]] founder [[Ari Emanuel]] wrote an open letter to the Hollywood community to [[blacklist]] [[International Creative Management|ICM]]-represented [[Mel Gibson]]. Emanuel blogged on the [[Huffington Post]], "People in the entertainment community, whether [[Jew]] or [[gentile]], need to demonstrate that they understand how much is at stake in this by professionally shunning [[Mel Gibson]] and refusing to work with him, even if it means a sacrifice to their bottom line."<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ari-emanuel/the-bottom-line-on-mel-gi_b_26115.html] "The Bottom Line on Mel Gibson's Anti-Semitic Remarks" by Ari Emanuel, July 30, 2006</ref> This letter inspired a number of responses. In an August 2 blog on [[Huffington Post]], [[Harry Shearer]] criticized the hypocrisy of Hollywood agents "lecturing us about there being more important things than money," writing that while he is not defending [[Mel Gibson]], "to be absolutely honest, in my slight dealings with him, I've found him more pleasant and less upsetting than certain persons on the other side of this discussion."<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/harry-shearer/when-you-want-moral-leade_b_26338.html "When You Want Moral Leadership, Call an Agent" by Harry Shearer, August 2, 2006</ref> On August 4, [[Gavin de Becker]] wrote an open letter to [[Ari Emanuel]] in the ''[[Hollywood Reporter]]'' to chide him for exploiting Gibson's situation to inflame political sentiment. He also wrote, "After thirty years of predicting intent through assessing words and context, I can tell you if we start taking the things people say when very drunk or very high or very angry as their enduring truth, we're all going to have to reassess many relationships… A list of people who can't work in this town based on what someone assumes they believe - didn't Hollywood already suffer that experience?"<ref>[http://defamer.com/hollywood/mel-gibson/gavin-de-becker-gives-ari-emanuel-the-gift-of-rhetorical-whoopass-192261.php "Gavin de Becker Gives Ari Emanuel the Gift of Rhetorical Whoop-ass"] August 4, 2006</ref> Radio personality [[Howard Stern]] called Gibson "a filthy anti-Semite" and was critical of ''The Passion Of The Christ'' though he admitted to loving ''[[Apocalypto]]'' on DVD.<ref>http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?d=1221451200#12585</ref> |
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A few other celebrities expressed opinions on [[Mel Gibson]] after his DUI arrest. Comedian [[Bill Maher]] wrote that while he thinks that Gibson fights within himself against anti-Semitism, "he'll never win as long as he's so religious, because, I hate to tell you, the disease isn't alcholism [sic], the disease is religion."<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/the-world-is-mel-gibson_b_26315.html The World IS Mel Gibson] August 2, 2006</ref> Maher also argued that the whole world is like Gibson (harboring latent anti-Semitism) when it comes to Israel and [[2006 Lebanon War|its war with Lebanon]]. On August 3, [[Rob Schneider]] took out a full-page ad in ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' to send an open letter to the Hollywood community, pledging as "a ½ Jew" to "never work with [[Mel Gibson]]-actor-director-producer and anti-Semite." He further wrote that "even if Mr. Gibson offered me a lead role in 'Passion of the Christ 2', I, like [[Bernie Brillstein]], would have to say 'No!'" Schneider also used the ad mention his upcoming directorial debut, ''[[Big Stan]]'', writing that he would not even cast Gibson in the part of a Nazi gang leader "which apparently Mel would be PERRR-FECT for."<ref>[http://defamer.com/hollywood/top/rob-schneider-takes-on-mel-gibson-to-plug-new-movie-in-variety-191949.php Schneider, Rob; "Rob Schneider Takes On Mel Gibson To Plug New Movie In 'Variety"; defamer.com, August 3, 2006]</ref> In 2008, Schneider described his ad as "a comedic, satirical view of how I saw the situation with [[Mel Gibson]], and also the hypocrisy of show business when they're all standing in line to say what a bad person he is when they're all a bunch of hypocritical assholes."<ref>{{cite news | title = The day I messed it up with the Zohan | first = Evan | last = Fanning| date = 2008-08-17 | url = http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/film-cinema/the-day-i-messed-it-up-with-the-zohan-1457433.html | publisher = [[The Irish Independent]] | accessdate = 2008-08-17}}</ref> [[Rob Reiner]] said that Gibson’s apology for his drunken remarks was not enough and that he needed to apologize for ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'', saying “his work reflects anti-Semitism.”<ref>{{cite news | title = Actor-producer asks director to admit his masterwork is anti-Semitic | date = 2006-08-25 | url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14520966/ | publisher = [[Associated Press]] | accessdate = 2006-08-03 }}</ref> During an interview with Celebrity Week in October 2006, [[Joan Rivers]] said that [[Mel Gibson]] "is an anti-Semitic son of a bitch. He should fucking die!”<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/10/13/150124.shtml?s=ic] “Joan Rivers: Mel Gibson Should Die” October 13, 2006</ref> |
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Several close friends and associates in Hollywood have come out to publicly defend Gibson, including [[Patrick Swayze]], [[Jodie Foster]] and [[M. Night Shyamalan]].<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,99680,00.html Mel Gibson's New 'Passion' Is Robert Downey Jr.] October 14, 2003</ref><ref>[http://people.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1187222.php Mel Gibson’s friends start to come out of shadows] Aug 5, 2006</ref> Producer [[Dean Devlin]] described Gibson as "one of his best friends in Hollywood" and said that Gibson had spent the afternoon before the DUI arrest at Devlin's home. Concerning Gibson’s alcoholism, Devlin remarked, "I have been with Mel when he has fallen off, and he becomes a completely different person. It is pretty horrifying." Noting that he and his wife are Jewish, Devlin said, "If Mel is an anti-Semite, then he spends a lot of time with us, which makes no sense."<ref>[http://www.hollywood.com/news/Producer_Devlin_Defends_Gibson/3540411 Producer Devlin Defends Gibson] August 06, 2006</ref> [[Robert Downey Jr]], who is Jewish on his father's side and has publicly defended Gibson during the controversy surrounding ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'', argued Gibson was "caught in the act of being an imperfect human being."<ref>[http://www.hollywoodgrind.com/2007/02/07/robert-downey-jr-stands-by-mel-gibson/ Robert Downey Jr. Stands by Mel Gibson] February 7, 2007</ref> [[Jodie Foster]] has bristled at accusations in the media that Gibson used alcoholism to dodge charges of racism, saying "This is a man who almost died. He's not some guy who went to rehab because he got a traffic ticket."<ref>http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20054140,00.html "Jodie Foster: Unbreakable" By Karen Valby</ref> Director [[Richard Donner]], who has worked with Gibson in six films and is Jewish, said that he had never heard him say anything anti-Semitic and that "in all of us there are seeds that have been implanted by others. He’s crying out for help."<ref>{{cite news | title = Mel Gibson Seeks Forgiveness from Jews| first = Allison Hope | last = Weiner | date = 2006-08-02 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/02/arts/02gibs.html?_r=1&oref=slogin |
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| publisher = [[New York Times]] }}</ref> |
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==Charge, plea and sentencing== |
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On August 2, 2006, Mel Gibson was formally charged with [[misdemeanor]] drunken driving, setting an arraignment date of September 28. On August 18, 2006, Gibson's attorney, on his client's behalf, entered a plea of [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] to one count of driving while having a blood alcohol content higher than .08.<ref>Mel Gibson pleads no contest in DUI case, Aug 17, 2006, CNN</ref> The other charges were dropped. Judge [[Lawrence Mira]] sentenced Gibson to three years probation, 4½ months of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 5 times a week, followed by 7½ months of meetings 3 times a week. Gibson also volunteered to do public-service announcements on the hazards of drinking and driving, and to immediately enter rehabilitation. He was also ordered to enroll in an alcohol-abuse program for three months, fined a total of [[United States dollar|$]]1,300 and had his license restricted for 90 days.<ref>[http://www.comcast.net/entertainment/index.jsp?cat=ENTERTAINMENT&fn=/2006/08/17/457664.html&cvqh=itn_gibsonpleads Mel Gibson Pleads No Contest in DUI Case] August 17, 2006</ref> At a May 2007 progress hearing, Judge Mira praised Gibson for complying with the terms of his probation, saying, "I know his extensive participation in a self-help program - and I should note he has done extensive work, beyond which was required."<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/5/11/153226.shtml Mel Gibson Praised for Progress in Alcohol Rehab] May 12, 2007</ref> |
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On October 6, 2009, [[Los Angeles County]] [[Superior Court]] Judge [[Lawrence Mira]] approved an [[expungement]] for Gibson after he completed his probation sentence of three years.<ref>[http://www.expungementreform.com/publication.html Mel Gibson Gets an Expungement] October 6, 2009</ref> |
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==Aftermath== |
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===Diane Sawyer interview with Gibson=== |
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On October 13, 2006, Gibson told [[Diane Sawyer]] that he was "ashamed" of his remarks, and that while his initial attitude was that they were just "the stupid ramblings of a drunkard," he came to realize that his words had actually frightened people. Gibson stated that 3 concerns may have led to his remarks: 1) the [[2006 Lebanon War|2006 war in Lebanon]] which was in its 17th day 2) the general level of escalating violence in the [[Middle East]] as relating to [[Israel]] 3) those Jewish individuals who gave him a "brutal sort of public beating" over the making of ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' where he never heard a "single word of apology". When questioned about the influence of his father, [[Holocaust denier]] [[Hutton Gibson]], Gibson stated: |
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{{cquote|We're talking about me right now. And me taking responsibility for my words and actions. And … I'm certainly not going to use him, to sort of put anything off of me. It isn't the explanation for what happened that night. It isn't. It has nothing to do with it. … That's in my own heart.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Entertainment/story?id=2557656&page=1 Mel Gibson Addresses Accusations of Anti-Semitism] Oct. 13, 2006</ref> |
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}} |
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===Change to California law=== |
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As a result of the circumstances surrounding Gibson’s arrest, Assemblywoman [[Julia Brownley]], D-Santa Monica, proposed legislation ("Mel's Law") that would criminalize the sale of privileged information pertaining to the arrests of high-profile suspects. The lawmaker argued that Mel Gibson's due process rights were violated by the unauthorized leak of prejudicial allegations before he had received due process. Bill AB920 was approved unanimously by both the California state assembly in May 2007<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/story/2007/05/24/gibson-law.html Mel Gibson scandal prompts Calif. law against chequebook journalism] May 24, 2007</ref> and the state senate in September 2007,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070910-2115-ca-legislativerdp.html | title = Mel Lawmakers approve bills related to bullets, gas prices | publisher = [[Associated Press]] | date = 2007-09-11 | accessdate = 2007-09-13 }}</ref> and the bill was signed into law by the governor in October 2007 |
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<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-gangs11oct11,1,5220179.story?coll=la-news-politics-california | title = Mel Governor to sign five new laws aimed at fighting gang violence | publisher = [[Los Angeles Times]] | date = 2007-10-11 | accessdate = 2007-10-11}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> |
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===Investigation into allegations of special treatment=== |
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The [[Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]]'s civilian oversight Office of Independent Review opened an investigation into whether Gibson received special treatment due to his celebrity status and examine how the officer's internal report was leaked to TMZ.com.<ref>{{cite news | title = Gibson Arrest Probe Centers on Why Information Was Withheld | author = Winton, Richard; Blankstein, Andrew; and Garvey, Megan | publisher = Los Angeles Times | date = 2006-08-02 | accessdate = 2006-08-03}}</ref> Watchdog lawyer Michael Gennaco said an initial probe showed sheriffs did not give Gibson favorable treatment.<ref>{{cite news | title = Gibson arrest 'handled correctly' | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-08-02 | accessdate = 2006-08-03 | url = http://www.latimes}}</ref> The Office of Independent Review considered how the arrest of celebrities highlighted the issue of privacy rights of individuals versus the public's interest in arrests by deputies. In the case of Gibson's arrest, their annual report examined the allegations that the Department had improperly sought to keep his alleged inflammatory statements from review by altering the original police report. The investigation concluded that the unit commander had acted appropriately in placing the remarks attributed to Gibson in a supplemental report for the District Attorney’s office, and that his decision was not suggested or influenced by his superiors. The OIR found that the standard release protocol was not followed with Gibson because he was not required to give his palm print or sign a statement promising to appear in court. Furthermore, his supervisors were found to have violated department policy in driving Gibson to the tow yard without consulting the watch commander. The same investigation looked into alleged lack of professionalism at the station for non-essential employees entering the holding area to view Gibson while he was in custody. The investigation did not produce sufficient evidence to establish these charges.<ref name="aolcdn.com">http://www.aolcdn.com/tmz_documents/1220_gibson_wm_01.pdf Office of Independent Review Annual Report, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department</ref> |
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===Investigation of leak and lawsuit by James Mee=== |
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Arresting Officer James Mee was the target of the LASD investigation of the leak to TMZ, and the prosecutor who reviewed the case found that only three sheriff’s employees had access to the information by the time it was released, including a sergeant and lieutenant who oversaw Mee’s reports on the arrest. Records obtained by investigators showed that there were calls between Mee’s residence and TMZ’s founder, Harvey Levin, but that it was impossible to say who made the calls on Mee’s end of the line. No improper payments to Mee, his wife or daughter were found. In 2009, prosecutors declined to press charges against Mee for illegally leaking the Gibson arrest report to TMZ, citing lack of proof.<ref>{{cite news | title = No charges over Mel Gibson DUI report leaks | publisher = The Associated Press | date = 2009-10-07 | accessdate = 2010-09-08 | url = http://sacramentoduiinformation.com/blog/tag/sheriffs-deputy-james-mee/}}</ref> On September 7, 2010, arresting officer James Mee sued the county of Los Angeles for religious discrimination and retaliation, citing that the plaintiff was "personally humiliated and has become mentally upset, distressed and aggravated" and seeking general damages for emotional distress and mental suffering and claiming losses including "loss of income, benefits and medical expenses," attorney's fees and cost of the suit.<ref>{{cite news | title = Officer Claims Discrimination in Wake of Mel Gibson's '06 DUI Arrest | publisher = The Insider | date = 2010-09-08 | accessdate = 2010-09-08 | url = http://www.theinsider.com/news/3361713_Officer_Claims_Discrimination_in_Wake_of_Mel_Gibson_s_06_DUI_Arrest}}</ref> |
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==Notes and references== |
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{{Portal box|Greater Los Angeles|Crime|Judaism}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gibson, Mel}} |
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[[Category:Antisemitic attacks and incidents]] |
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[[Category:2006 crimes in the United States|Mel Gibson DUI incident]] |
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Revision as of 11:31, 1 June 2011
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