Mel Gibson Tapes Have Been Edited, Expert Says

By Amber James Posted Jul 15th 2010 03:25PM

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.

Hear the full tape (at your peril) at RadarOnline.com.

► Mel Gibson Roars Oral Sex Demands in Newest Tape
► Third Tape Released: Mel Gibson Throws Racial Slurs, Tells Ex 'I Own You'
► Second Mel Gibson Phone Call Released, More Racist Rants Ensue
► Phone Call Rant From Mel Gibson to Oksana Grigorieva Leaked; Talent Agency Drops Him

Can Mel Gibson recover from this? Tell us on Facebook.

Tags: mel gibson, oksana grigorieva

Comments

(253)

Thursday 15 July

By sandy

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Yes, I thought so too.

By mom

Everyone keeps saying "threat of violence" but the tapes were "made" she says in february...she was so scared that she waited 5 months to let any one know?

Wednesday 21 July

By Barnesc

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Let's say Oksana is a golddigging piece of ****. Let's say she did set Mel up for this tape. What does her being a pig have to do with Mel's MOUTH!!!!! The attention is being shifted for Mel's MOUTH! I'm not saying that if Oksana has done anything illegal or just plan wrong she shouldn't be held accountable. I'm say WHAT ABOUT MEL'S MOUTH?! As for me....he's dead but just not in the ground!

By sue

I agree with jess about Oksana being a gold digger.She is out for money and thats all.i will still go and see any of Mel Gibson movies.

By Howard

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Give me a break. That was Mel. He said all those things. This guy West sounds like an idiot.

Friday 16 July

By Katie

Oh, please. He is disgusting. He said those things to her and he should suffer the consequences.

By georgie

I am not saying that some of the words Mel used were acceptable, but she should be charged. I am not there, nor an expert, but I think she is a real piece of work. I hope Mel gets the help he needs. He has been one of the best actors and directors Hollywood has ever seen.

By d

I agree that Gibson is a great actor..he is also human. Why is it our business what kind of 'language' he uses? Seriously, what if any one of us was drawn into a heated, emotional argument and taped? Leave him alone. He is an actor, not a world leader or anything important.

By keith

She and whoever has set mel up, if the law can't see that they are blind, this is a closed case, she should be charged with extortion and deflamation of character, he should get the daughter and she should be deported back to russia.

By claudia

I agree this lady is just a gold digger and had everything planned since she was ready to start taping the calls and who in this world stays SO calm when is being threaten? haha yeah right

By MsHorsetrainer

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I agree

By Janet

Either way guys Oksana got him good. I do believe she had these tapes leaked not by her but by someone else. Gibson like Tiger Woods did this to himself by their big mouths. Gibson is done. His friends are diving for cover, his agency for 30 years dumped him in a heartbeat. Even if no criminal charges Gibson can't walk away from this one. That is his voice just like it was Tigers voice. Damage is done.

By Dianne

I think this is enough we're only getting one side of the story hers she probably had all this planned he's rich and famous and she wants her piece of the action did anyone bother to talk to the x wife to see how he was with her? and here we are she taped all this from the beginning of their relationship what does that tell you she's a gold digger and should have stayed in Russia .This is America and we should have the right to express ourselves especially in our own homes.

By papacookie2000

Looks like gold digging to me...wonder how much she got out of the Timothy Dalton for their son and for herself. Then she goes onto another Actor. I don't believe Mel should have used the words he chose but when someone pushes the right buttons and makes someone angry then words are used without thought. I am not the Judge or Jury in this case and certainly am no expert but I know how to fix tapes, pictures,etc.. and I am inclined to believe the expert who listened to the recordings..and as far as anything knowingly illegal was done so far is that a CA law is clearly on the books was broken when she taped conversations without his knowledge. I hope this goes away I am tired of hearing about Bollywood and all the BS that goes with it. I for one will still watch his movies.

By janet

I always thought she got pregnant on purpose. What is the ultimate meal ticket? a movie stars baby. She could live off the child support alone. She got pregnant with Timothy Daltons baby and now Gibsons. No one offered to marry her. As wrong as Gibson was and is he got very mad for a reason. She used him good. She got him by his ego and wallet. If no criminal charges she has civil charges. This woman is no fool. She "played" Gibson like a pro.

By J Isbell

I'm always amazed at how well people understand the "deep motives" of absolute strangers. Good for you, you "know" a lot more than the rest of us.

By sondbr

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Today Show had on an expert this morning and he said he believes that the tapes are real and not altered in any way. He gave all of the reasons why he thought that such as no breaks and the verbalizing was an even pitch which would not be if it had been edited. There is no doubt it's Mel Gibson on the tapes and he sounds like he's ready to blow up!! I'll bet he's high on drugs like most of Hollywood.

By colleen

It sounded as though she was reading a statement. She clearly set him up. It is true that he said things that make him sound horrible but since when is it okay to tape a fight and play it for the public? People say awful things when provoked. She is a gold digger and she has hit on a whole lot of gold with Mel. Bet he wishes he had stayed with his wife!

By john

The title of Tthis article reads: "Mel Gibson Tapes Have Been Edited", Expert Says...it's unfortunate that Pop Eater has to sensationalize its titles to grab its readers. The article goes on briefly to explain how the Gibson team has forensic proof of tampering, then shows a 7 min video Matt Laure and a recording expert who states that the recordings are authentic. Bait and switch reporting??? Ya think??? There are clear biases here!

By Demi

This is ridiculous legal analysis. This guy used to be good, but after all, this is NBC....they always sway and twist facts, stories and etc. Shame on Abrahamson, the lawyer acting as though he actually knows. Go to FOX and listen to the Judge...also, they don't twist stories for ratings! They already have them. pathetic....the tapes won't be entered as evidence and THEY do NOT convict him.

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