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

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Tags: mel gibson, oksana grigorieva

Comments

(253)

Thursday 15 July

By Digi

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I think she pushed pushed pushed until Mel finially pushed back harder. Personally she brought it on herself, which explains why shes so calm and capable in the recordings. She had it planned from the get go. SHe didnt just randomly have a tape recorder handy to record him, she antagonized him till he popped. Money grubbing bi*ch should be deported

By Demi

It is easy to believe that Oksana's lawyers let these tapes go public. They knew they were edited and want their best door to the cash....hoping Mel Gibson will settle and pull the tapes. That is why they just keep going on and on from day to day.

Why isn't anyone telling us WHO the Oksana has for her lawyers? I'd say that is public information....they investigate the leak...it was them all the way and she let them. They knew that a report doesn't have to reveal their source and these lawyers want money.

DO NOT SETTLE MEL....FIGHT FIGHT this woman.....period. FIGHT for custody and get the support DROPPED due to this terrible public damage. GO FOR IT....the damage has been done.

By Janet

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I don't think the tapes are altered either. Gibson sounds like a raving psyco. Too many tapes to alter. Even if some alterations or editing was done again too many tapes. Gibson at 54 is no longer the hollywood heart throb. His movies are not bringing in the box office and this nailed his coffin shut. His hollywood power is gone. This is the court of public opinion, and it's not good in anyway.

By kelly

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

who cares, i means seriously.........there is an oil leak in the gulf.

By Kat

Mel's behavior is bad but like someone said, it's only one side of the story. This marriage was doomed to fail. She's a gold digger and he's an egomaniac. But would that stop me from going to a Mel Gibson movie, no way !!

By cruella

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Did she edit the SOUND of his ranting too? He was screaming at her. That was the scary part.

Friday 16 July

I rather like the new tape....finally she gets upset and hangs-up WHEN Gibson tells her that her son is a mess and she is a horrible mother......that one could reveal who you really are, right Oksana? So, quickly end the conversation...quickly now. Pathetic woman...she is a Russian gold digger without a doubt and she cannot even admit it. She says "you gave me nothing" ! How on earth can she deny that he lavished money on her and her career?

By crissy

I am so sick of every day its a new tape been drawn out too much he is a sick person but it was a personal conversation between them her responses are so planned i dont think we have to hear about mels rants and her fake responses every day cmon people there is moreimportant things going on in the world i cant stand to hear one more tape

By Terry

Mel didn't secretly tape her. He deserves to be heard now that she has tried to destroy him. She wants property and money and she is using the baby as a pawn. What an evil person she is!!! He wanted to see the baby for father's day and she wouldn't let him because she wanted a house and money IN HER NAME first.

By dealerswild

Any one taking up for Mel is as nuts as he is, i would have set him up too, sounds dangerous

By janet

I always enjoyed Gibson...but...you can't spin this. They are not even trying. It's Mel Gibson on the tapes. Now it's damage control and I think it's too late. You can have all the "Experts" and high priced lawyers to dispute but no one has said "This is not Mel Gibsons voice". Set up or not, bottom line Gibsons rant and threats in his own words...sealed or not sealed Oksana wins.

By Nico Toscani

You mean being a drunk doesn't excuse you for saying horrible, violent, racist things? What a concept!

By Sandy

I cant believe all this bull over fighting between a man and woman in a relationship. My business is NO ONE elses but mine and his. I can see she is looking for public attention and trying to ruin Mels rep. Honestly unless he is convicted of rape, incest, or murder its none of our business. Get a grip people and stop worrying about everyone else's lives and live your own.......

Mel is still a violent, racist.

By Fights

I listened to these tapes before "editing" of them was even mentioned and thought they sounded like she was reading from a script. I will never, ever defend a man who abuses a woman but frankly, I'm not so sure this is the case here.

By Sharon

I think Mel Gibson has pickled his brain!!!

By Lila

OG--Golddigger from the get-go! She gets preg with these celebs then takes them to the bank any way she can. The truth will be revealed and not in the rag mags.

By tbascoebuzz

I've gotta wonder at this woman who would obviously provoke a fight with Mel in order to get him ranting on tape...What kind of gold digger would do this? Oksana Grigorieva that's what kind...and then smile smugly & innocently for the camera! She knows which buttons to push. She wants out of this marriage plain and simple. I've gotta wonder too, at the authenticity of these alleged tapes. Mel just ain't no fool to fall for her "set-up" over and over again.

By fun4rae

there are long whole sentnces that cant be "edited" that he says.. sounds good for him to blame everyone , anyone else but we have lots of previous edvince of what he is and this is consistent with that.
If it walks like a duck and wacks like a duck it is a duck.

By sandy

Get it right...its Quack like a Duck....not wack

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