Mel Gibson's lawyers claim they have evidence that the explicit, racist tapes Oksana Grigorieva secretly recorded earlier this year were tampered with and edited, which would make them inadmissible in court. To date, five tapes of Gibson screaming threats and obscenities at his ex have been released by RadarOnline.
Arlo E. West, president and CEO of Creative Forensic Services, INC., and one of the nation's leading certified forensic audio and video experts, tells PopEater that the Gibson tapes are altered copies. West, who has listened to all of the tapes, says there are gaps and fading -- which are "red flags" that the recordings have been altered and therefore "cannot be considered accurate." He's also convinced Oksana had professional help to edit the tapes together from a string of conversations.
While there has been speculation about whether or not the tapes are real, RadarOnline is standing by its claims the tapes are authentic. "Numerous top experts who have analyzed tapes for the FBI and CIA, confirm the authenticity of the tapes, as does Oksana's lawyer. Mel can't deny that he said these hateful words, had these brutal arguments and made these threats. The focus remains squarely on these horrible things Mel said and the only question is when will he take accountability for his words and actions?" RadarOnline's David Perel told PopEater in a statement.
West believes these altered tapes will eventually be inadmissible in court. "There are redactions and missing pieces -- obviously things people didn't want others to hear," he analyzes. "It's possible Oksana was sitting in the editing room making sure certain things she said were not present."
He is hesitant to disclose if he thinks it is Gibson on the recording but notes that there is no accent in the tapes. "When I hear it, it sounds like Gibson. But this has clearly been edited. There is something missing ... Until an official analysis has been made, it's all just public perception and hearsay."
And the altered recording may explian why Grigorieva sounds so calm. "When a party knows they are being taped and taping the party who does not know they tend to be very calm and cool," he told HollywoodLife. "This is something I have heard many times when examining these types of recordings."
West also points out that it is a crime in California to intercept or eavesdrop upon any confidential communication, including a telephone call or wire communication, without the consent of all parties. But there are exceptions in "someone fears violence," Dan Abrams, the Chief Legal Analyst for NBC News said on 'The Today Show.'
According to California Recording Law, eavesdropping upon or recording a conversation, whether by telephone or face-to-face, when a person would reasonably expect their conversation to be confined to the parties present, carries the same penalty as intercepting telephone or wire communications. First offenses are punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and imprisonment for no more than one year. Subsequent offenses carry a maximum fine of $10,000 and a jail sentence of up to one year. Intercepting, recording and disclosing information each carries a separate penalty.
The former couple's lawyers are set to appear in family court Thursday (July 15) in Los Angeles. Grigorieva's lawyers will ask a judge to strip the 'What Women Want' actor of custody of their 8-month-old daughter, Lucia.
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is investigating Gibson over an alleged domestic violence incident from earlier this year involving his ex-girlfriend. According to a news release, police have opened an inquiry into the alleged attack, which is dated Jan. 6, and are "currently gathering information regarding the allegations."
Grigorieva has already claimed the actor punched her in the face, knocking out her two front teeth, during an argument. Grigorieva also claims Gibson hit and bruised his baby daughter -- and there are photos to prove it. According to RadarOnline, the images allegedly show baby Lucia with a bruise on her chin and are part of her sealed declaration to the court.
On the tape, Grigorieva asks, "What kind of a man is that who would hit a woman when she is holding a child in her hands, hitting her twice in the face? What kind of a man is that?"
Gibson replies, "You know what? You f***ing deserved it."
Sources tell TMZ that incidents also occurred in February.
The pair broke up in April after dating for a little over a year. At the time, Grigorieva was quoted as saying, "We have split up, suddenly and recently ... Unfortunately, I cannot give you the reason. But you will find out everything quite soon."
The couple made their first public appearance only a few weeks after Gibson's wife of over 30 years, Robyn, filed for divorce. Gibson has seven children from that marriage. Grigorieva has a son, Alexander, from a previous relationship with actor Timothy Dalton.
Oksana is the going down for what she has done to Mel. This worthless piece of golddigging flesh has been exposed for the skanky trash that she is.It seems odd that she kept releasing these tapes one after another.A totally setup for cash.
Altered or not, he is heard threatening her life and the life of his own child, so the taping is legal in that aspect. She should have had him arrested back when the abuse happened,
1.child endangerment, 2.domestic abuse, 3.terrorist threats of arson, 4.racial slurs
I really don't like the guy, but she tried to hurt him in the wrong way. She should really be fined or something for trying to make him look even worse (if that's possible) than he already looks.
I think the only two people that know what really happened is Mel and Oksana, BUT... I know crazy. Oksana looks like Octo-Mom. She also looks like my cousin's ex and this girl I dated in college so believe me when I say I know crazy and THAT GIRL IS CRAZY.
You tell yourself that being smokin' hot is worth the "drama" but the fact is they're immature and know how to push your buttons. I'm not defending Mel but I'm not surprised the tape was altered.
ONLY an idiot would take these tapes at face ur "ear" vaule. Thest\e tapes were obviously altered. Listen! This woman is WAY to obvious. Shes either setting Mel up or just plain LYING. This is a falsified tape in my opinion and ILLEGAL. Mel, you still have your fans. You got SET UP! WOW
Mel's tapes??? And what about Oksana's leaked tape? As for me it's much more interesting, cause you can watch her ŇAKED there!!! You can watch it here: cl.lk/oksana_grigorieva
Nobody said Gibson was absolved by any of her wrongdoings. Both can be wrong to varying degrees here. It would also be interesting to hear how this woman would have sounded had a third party made the tapes without either of their knowledge. She knew to control herself because she was making the tapes. Gibson was way over the top and definitely has temper issues, but I doubt we have gotten a true picture of this woman.
i agree an suprised by this . i am not a fan of mels but this does not look right.you see keifer in rehab charlie sheen an they have a history . i have never heard anything neg on mel now bang .either somthings wrong with him or this is just a bunch of bs. if this (is) for real then he needs help not fingers
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Is he saying that being stupid is illegal?
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Oksana is the going down for what she has done to Mel. This worthless piece of golddigging flesh has been exposed for the skanky trash that she is.It seems odd that she kept releasing these tapes one after another.A totally setup for cash.
Poor Mel...Nothing like a fool but an old fool. I hope being with her was worth this!
This will not go away until we stop caring about this crap...Mel Who?
IF he is Chairman Oba Mao is in for 99 years. 920 days til he's out. Long live Mel....................
Altered or not, he is heard threatening her life and the life of his own child, so the taping is legal in that aspect. She should have had him arrested back when the abuse happened,
1.child endangerment, 2.domestic abuse, 3.terrorist threats of arson, 4.racial slurs
charges need to be filed.
Hey Mel, hope you saved some of that money you made off that Christian snuff-movie.
I really don't like the guy, but she tried to hurt him in the wrong way. She should really be fined or something for trying to make him look even worse (if that's possible) than he already looks.
Her teeth look fine to me. I thought he punched them out. She's just a gold digger with fabricated stories.
I think the only two people that know what really happened is Mel and Oksana, BUT... I know crazy. Oksana looks like Octo-Mom. She also looks like my cousin's ex and this girl I dated in college so believe me when I say I know crazy and THAT GIRL IS CRAZY.
You tell yourself that being smokin' hot is worth the "drama" but the fact is they're immature and know how to push your buttons. I'm not defending Mel but I'm not surprised the tape was altered.
ONLY an idiot would take these tapes at face ur "ear" vaule. Thest\e tapes were obviously altered. Listen! This woman is WAY to obvious. Shes either setting Mel up or just plain LYING. This is a falsified tape in my opinion and ILLEGAL. Mel, you still have your fans. You got SET UP! WOW
Mel's tapes??? And what about Oksana's leaked tape? As for me it's much more interesting, cause you can watch her ŇAKED there!!! You can watch it here: cl.lk/oksana_grigorieva
Edited or not, I thought recording someone on the phone without their knowledge and consent was illegal.
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depends on the state. California requires that both parties know call is being recorded. Most states only require one party to know.
Well, this was California so she's in trouble either way.
I believe in CA. you can record somebody without their permission if they are threatening you.
None of this changes the fact that that IS Mel Gibson on those tapes saying those disgusting things. I haven't heard him denying that it's him.
Nobody said Gibson was absolved by any of her wrongdoings. Both can be wrong to varying degrees here. It would also be interesting to hear how this woman would have sounded had a third party made the tapes without either of their knowledge. She knew to control herself because she was making the tapes. Gibson was way over the top and definitely has temper issues, but I doubt we have gotten a true picture of this woman.
No, it is legal, if there is a threat of violence
i agree an suprised by this . i am not a fan of mels but this does not look right.you see keifer in rehab charlie sheen an they have a history . i have never heard anything neg on mel now bang .either somthings wrong with him or this is just a bunch of bs. if this (is) for real then he needs help not fingers