Mel to Judge: Strip Oksana of Custody, STAT!

Mel Gibson’s lawyer went to court for an emergency hearing Friday, asking the judge to immediately strip Oksana Grigorieva of custody of baby Lucia … TMZ has learned.

Sources connected with the case tell us the trigger for the hearing was TMZ’s story the day before … in which we reported Oksana claimed in her deposition earlier in the week that Mel beat her in order to get aroused during sex.

We’re told Mel and his lawyers were outraged and accused Oksana’s team of leaking the info. Mel’s family lawyer, Stephen Kolodny, asked Judge Scott Gordon on Friday to take custody away from Oksana on grounds she acted maliciously — not in the best interests of Lucia — by allegedly leaking the story.

According to our sources, Kolodny also argued many of the allegations Oksana made during her deposition — including the one reported on TMZ — have never been made before and is a belated attempt to smear Mel and harm Lucia.

Our sources say Kolodny asked Judge Gordon for an immediate ruling but the judge refused, setting the matter for a full hearing next month.

News Source: TMZ

Oksana: Mel’s Dad Is a Danger to Lucia

Everyone gets embarrassed when their parents go off their rocker — but the rantings of Mel Gibson’s father could create problems in his custody case … at least that’s what Oksana’s lawyers want.

Sources tell TMZ … during Mel’s deposition today, lawyers for Oksana Grigorieva will dredge up statements made by Hutton Gibson during an interview back in August.

Among the pearls of wisdom from Hutton: “Half of the people there in the Vatican are queer.” He also said he thought Pope Benedict XVI is a homosexual.

We’re told Oksana’s lawyers plan to paint a picture … Lucia is at risk if she’s around Mel’s kooky dad.

Source: TMZ

Mel Gibson’s Depo — Listen To the Tapes, Mel

Mel Gibson could be forced during his deposition today to listen to his now infamous tirades that Oksana secretly taped – if Oksana Grigorieva’s legal team has its way … TMZ has learned.

Sources connected with the case tell us Oksana’s lawyers are “seriously considering” playing the tapes in front of Mel, partly to show that he physically abused Oksana and partly to prove he’s an unfit parent. We’re told the lawyers want to ask Mel about alleged domestic violence, the rants, the works.

This is the first time Mel will testify under oath in the custody case … and we’re told Oksana’s lawyers are viewing it as a “no holds barred” deposition.

Sources say Oksana’s legal team will use certain statements Mel has made about his conduct on January 6 — the day of the blowout fight — as well as other statements to challenge his credibility.

The defense believes if Mel asserts his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during the depo, Oksana’s team can use that against him by pointing to the earlier statements.

As for playing the tapes in the depo … there are big hurdles. First, our sources say the judge has imposed ground rules requiring lawyers to stay away from the domestic violence issue. Nonetheless … the defense believes it still has the right to ask the questions.

The bigger hurdle … Oksana and her lawyers do not have the original recordings, and Mel’s lawyers will almost certainly object to a bootlegged copy being played.

We’re told the depo will “definitely” last longer than a day.

Source: TMZ

What Oksana and Mel Are Really Fighting Over

The real fight between Oksana Grigorieva and Mel Gibson may not be about child custody at all … we’ve learned the various lawyers who have been repping Oksana have been focused on a legal document created long before Lucia was born.

TMZ was first to report the problem with the Icon Trust — created by Mel and Robyn to provide for their seven children. The trust defines “issue” (aka children) as kids born from Mel or Robyn. When it was drafted, no one thought Mel or Robyn would have a child outside the marriage. Enter Oksana.

Sources connected with Mel and Robyn say no one in their family wants to screw Lucia out of her inheritance, but if she becomes a beneficiary in Mel’s trust it would create some complicated tax issues.

So when Oksana and Mel broke up and struck a settlement deal during the mediation in May, the very first term reads, “Oksana consents to amendment of Icon Trust to exclude Lucia.”

In return for excluding Lucia, Mel agreed to provide a financial package for the baby worth more than $8 million.

Sounds like a sweet deal. So why did Oksana disavow the mediation she signed? We’re told the lawyers Oksana hooked up with after the mediation believed Lucia got royally screwed by giving up an interest in the trust. They told Oksana that Lucia would stand to get around $50 million under the trust agreement … which they believe represents 1/8 the value of a $400,000,000 trust.

Sources connected with Gibson tell us the money in the trust is not even in the universe of $400,000,000 … not remotely close.

But here’s the deal. If Oksana’s lawyers persist and Mel settles out of court, the attorney would get a percentage of the settlement. So they’ve convinced Oksana there’s something in it for her … and there’s something in it for them.

Source: TMZ

Mel to Oksana’s Dentist — I’ll See YOU Now!

Not many people actively seek out a dentist — but TMZ has learned Mel Gibson’s legal team is doing just that when it comes to the dentist Oksana Grigorieva visited the day after Mel and Oksana’s altercation.

As we first reported, a key witness in the case against Mel will be Oksana’s dentist, Dr. Ross Shelden. Dr. Shelden took photos of Oksana’s face the day after the alleged January 6 blowout, although the pics do no show injury or bruising. And as we reported, Dr. Shelden has flip-flopped on his medical evaluation — claiming, then disclaiming and then re-claiming Oksana was struck in the mouth.

Sources tell us Mel’s legal team submitted a request last week to depose Dr. Shelden.

After the deposition, Dr. Shelden should not expect a lollipop.

Source: TMZ

Oksana’s Newest Lawyer Angry at Mel, TMZ

Oksana Grigorieva’s latest addition to her legal team is lashing out after our story yesterday — that Oksana has had at least 39 lawyers working for her in her legal war with Mel Gibson — claiming Mel has an armada of lawyers and others trying to stomp Oksana down.

Lisa Bloom claims “Mel has a fleet of highly aggressive law firms fighting her at every turn, including one which calls itself a ‘450+ lawyer business litigation firm — the largest in the United States devoted solely to business litigation.’”

Although the current war is over custody, support and alleged crimes and not business litigation, Bloom adds, “This is only one of at least four known major law firms behind the scenes, as well as publicists, marketers, and public relations agencies.” Bloom says, “Oksana is a single mother of two who’s gone into debt fighting for simple justice.”

TMZ broke the story … at least 18 of Oksana’s lawyers have submitted bills to the court totaling more than $1 million, and they’ve asked the judge to make Mel foot the bill.

Bloom says Oksana has had only “a handful” of different law firms in this case, adding, “Though occasionally other lawyers in their firms may have pitched in.” Bloom says, “It is totally false to say she’s had 39 lawyers.” We have listed all 39 lawyers — Bloom has not said which of the 39 she believes were not working on the case.

Source: TMZ

Mel to Oksana — Relax, You’ll Get Your Money

Mel Gibson ain’t gonna pay Oksana Grigorieva the $20,000/month in child support until the judge clarifies if OG’s housing is included in the payment — much to the dismay of Oksana’s layers, who were shot down in court on Friday … TMZ has learned.

Oksana’s 39th lawyer, Lisa Bloom, said Friday that Mel Gibson was a deadbeat dad, insinuating he was behind on child support. But sources connected with the case tell us … the new child support order signed by Judge Scott Gordon is unclear as to whether it includes Oksana’s housing payments — payments Mel has been making from the get-go.

Mel has been paying Oksana $5,000/month in child support in addition to all of Oksana’s housing expenses. But now that the judge has upped the monthly child support to $20k, we’re told Mel’s team wants clarification — is it 20$k including or plus housing expenses?

Until the judge clairifes his order … Mel will continue paying $5,000/month.

Oksana’s lawyers tried to force Mel to pay the $20K immediately, but we’re told the judge said he would take the matter up in November … as previously scheduled.

Source: TMZ

Mel and Robyn Gibson — Close to Divorce Settlement

Lawyers for Mel Gibson and Robyn Gibson just had a quick conference call with the judge in their divorce case and they said they are close to a settlement.

Mel’s lawyer, Lance Spiegel, has submitted a property settlement proposal to Robyn’s attorney, disso-queen Laura Wasser.

Wasser said she’s mulling it over with Robyn and is “optimistic.” Wasser says she should have an answer next month as to whether Robyn will accept Mel’s property settlement offer.

Sources tell us … the divorce is “amicable” and there’s no real fight over how the property in their nearly 30-year marriage will be divided.

Source: TMZ

Mel and Oksana — Remember The Good Ol’ Days

Mel Gibson may be best know for hurling four-letter words at baby mama Oksana Grigorieva, but back when they first met … he proclaimed his love for her in an embarrassingly intimate love letter.

TMZ has obtained the handwritten letter in which Mel begins, “To my sweet beautiful little Russian.” Sources connected to the couple tell us that Mel wrote this letter after spending a passionate week with Oksana in the beginning of their relationship.

Mel continues, “Firstly – I LOVE YOU!!! … I could never let you go … I could derive more fulfillment from a mere thought of you than anyone could imagine.”

The love letter is a glimpse into a time before protective orders and lawyer shopping — when Mel seemed to care for Oksana unconditionally, writing “I’ll have soul gasms and perhaps even orgasms thinking of you!”

The letter concludes with Mel stating that he feels like a “new man,” and promising that “There is no way I will squander something so precious!”

Source: TMZ

Oksana to Mel: I Don’t Want Your Money

Oksana Grigorieva signed an agreement with Mel Gibson a month before their January 6 blowout, stating she would not make any claim on Mel’s money in the event they broke up — but boy did that change.

According to the “Cohabitation Agreement” — obtained by TMZ — Oksana and Mel both acknowledge “…they have no right to the property of the other…. ” The agreement states, “Neither party has promised the other to assist in funding any support for each other or the other party’s children from other relationships.”

The 22 page agreement, signed on December 8, 2009, lists Mel’s net worth “in excess of $150 million” and “his annual gross income averaged in excess of $5 million during the past three years.”

The agreement states in multiple ways that Mel owes Oksana nothing if they break up. They’re earnings and assets remain separate. All Oksana got under the agreement was the right to live in Mel’s Sherman Oaks home, but he had the right to throw her out at any time with 12 months written notice.

The agreement did give Oksana the right to keep a Dodge Charger that Mel bought for her … but that’s pretty much it.

But law enforcement sources tell TMZ … a little more than a month after signing the Cohabitation Agreement — and after the January 6 argument — Oksana had buyer’s remorse and began demanding money from Mel.

Sources say there were numerous emails and conversations between Oksana and Mel in which she demanded money, and her demands went into high gear after she secretly recorded Mel on Feburary 18.

We broke the story … during their mediation in May, Oksana demanded and got Mel to agree to pay her and Lucia a total of $15 million … in return, Oksana agreed to turn over the audiotapes and other “evidence” to Mel.

As TMZ first reported … there is a “serious” extortion investigation underway, to determine if Oksana used the tapes to squeeze money out of Mel — and our law enforcement sources say the Cohabitation Agreement is something that investigators are looking at closely.

We asked Oksana’s lawyer, Daniel Horowitz, why Lindsay went from not wanting any money in December to asking for millions in May. Horowitz told TMZ, “When she signed the agreement in December she had no idea Mel would be treating her like a punching bag in January. She gave up her career for a man who started beating her.”

Source: TMZ

Oksana & Mel — The Writing’s On the Wall

How’s this for love, Hollywood style — the “Cohabitation Agreement” Oksana Grigorieva and Mel Gibson signed requires each of them to give the other written notice in the event they break up … or get back together.

According to the “Cohabitation Agreement” the pair signed back in December 2009, “The parties shall be deemed separated when either gives written notice to the other advising that he or she has elected to separate.”

The same also holds true if they get back together: “After the parties separate, the parties may reconcile and resume their previous relationship if both parties give notice in writing of their intent to reconcile and resume their previous relationship.”

Nothing says I love you … like a notarized letter from your attorney.

Source: TMZ

Oksana: Mel Threatened ‘Brains All Over the Wall’

Oksana Grigorieva has told D.A. investigators … Mel Gibson was so enraged the day he allegedly attacked her that he threatened that “There will be brains all over the wall” … TMZ has learned.

Oksana went to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office Wednesday and told investigators the day of the nuclear argument, after allegedly striking her, Mel pulled out a gun, waived it around and threatened to kill her, the baby and himself, screaming, “There will be brains all over the wall.”

Oksana says she fled the house with Lucia and her son Sasha.

As we previously reported — Mel’s domestic violence case is currently with the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office for review.

It should be noted, claims that Mel threatened to kill himself, Oksana and the baby never came up during the mediation in May.

Source: TMZ

Oksana to Mel: I’ll Destroy The Tapes … for a Price

There is no question … when Oksana Grigorieva signed an agreement with Mel Gibson last May … she got millions out of him and only gave one thing in return — a promise to destroy “evidence,” including the secret tapes.

The document obtained by TMZ — and now at the heart of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department investigation into Mel’s extortion claims — was signed by both Mel and Oksana on May 16, after a 2-day mediation.

According to the document, Mel agrees to pay Oksana and Lucia approximately $15 million. In return Oksana agrees to “turn over all ‘evidence’, and represent and warrant that all evidence has been turned over and all evidence will be destroyed in a manner agreed upon by both parties.”

Now get this … “evidence” is defined in a related document as “recordings, audio tapes, emails, text messages, videotapes and photographs … of Gibson.”

A source involved in the mediation tells TMZ there’s no question, “It was all about the audiotapes and everyone in the room knew it.”

The signed document gives Oksana, among other things:

– $1 million when Oksana turns over of all of the “evidence”
– $10,000 per month for 18 additional years payable beginning on January 1, 2011.
– A $1 million life insurance policy on Mel
– The rights to their Getty picture deal
– All profits from Oksana’s album, totaling $17,112

Read more at TMZ

Oksana to Mel: Here’s Why I Played the Tape

Oksana Grigorieva sent Mel Gibson a long email on March 30, 2010 about the tapes she secretly recorded – and one of her lawyers tells TMZ the email proves Oksana did not try and extort the actor.

In the email Oksana tells Mel she played one of the secretly-recorded messages from February 18 to her lawyer.

Oksana says, “As far as the tapes go, I only played one to my lawyer, becouse on march 15 Michelle [who works for her then-lawyer, Eric George] proposed on ur behalf not a very generous gift for our daughter and there was nothing for me.”

Although that sounds like Oksana is trying to use the tape to squeeze money out of Mel, one of her current lawyers, Daniel Horowitz, tells TMZ Oksana was extremely reluctant to play her lawyer the tape but felt threatened by Mel’s legal team.

Horowitz cites this portion of the email, “My lawyers warned me that ur lawyers are cabaple of false fabrication about me in the press, i.e., an unfit mother, a prostitute etc so u can have the baby and I get to go to my ‘f…ing moth hole’ as u told me. I had no choice, after all of this I had to play one message to them.”

And Oksana continues in her email to Mel, “The messages we r talking about I kept on my phone purely for u, to c how scared we were and for u to understand what this have done to us, how painful these words were, but hopeffuly, eventualy to help us. That was the only reason.”

Daniel Horowitz tells TMZ, “Oksana was legally entitled to play all of the tapes for her lawyers and most clients would have done so. She was being supremely careful of Mel’s privacy because she knew that even lawyers in Hollywood might lose track of the tapes and she didn’t want to hurt him.”

Read more at TMZ

Mel Allegedly Begged Oksana for Forgiveness

Mel Gibson dropped to his knees the morning after the nuclear January 6 meltdown and begged Oksana Grigorieva for forgiveness … this according to sources connected with the case.

We’ve learned Oksana Grigorieva gave L.A. County Sheriff’s investigators an email — obtained by TMZ — in which Mel said to Oksana he wanted to “come by to make amends to you, Sacha and Lucia.” Mel added, “I spent 2 hours with a therapist today & have regained some perspective. What I’m telling you now is I am safe.”

Oksana responds by saying, “I have two broken front teeth and a concussion. I cannot c u today, I’m hurting.”

Mel then responds, “Did you get them fixed yet? When can I see you. I need to see you this evening & then I promise I’ll leave you alone for as long as you want if only for 10 minutes Please.”

We’ve learned Oksana has told Sheriff’s investigators Mel showed up at the house unannounced later that day, came inside, began to cry and begged for forgiveness. Oksana told investigators Mel crawled toward her but she walked away and Mel eventually left.

It’s important to note — we’re told there are hundreds of emails that went back and forth between Mel and Oksana, and the true story of what happened is only revealed by presenting all of them at once — which will come in due time.

Source: TMZ

Mel to Oksana — ‘I Could Commit a Crime’

Mel Gibson wrote a frantic, rambling letter to Oksana Grigorieva a year before their infamous, January blowout — in which he describes feeling so out of control that he “could drink or commit a crime.”

TMZ has obtained a copy of the letter – handwritten by Mel — and in it he says, “I’m so ragged I could drink or commit a crime. The anger seems to be out of my control -- I need to do something about it something lasting — not just a band aid.”

In the undated letter — which sources connected to the case tell TMZ was written in December 2008 — he says, “I don’t know why I’m so whacky and depressed but I need to get well and re-enter life. Please don’t be upset I’ve gone — I’m just not myself and feel bad when I am so f**ked up and sick around you.”

Mel goes on: “I don’t want to inflict this unhealthy version of myself on you.”

Mel theorizes, “Maybe it’s some kind of male menopause — or Brian’s s**t.” We’re told Brian is Mel’s holistic doctor.

In the letter, Mel repeatedly tells Oksana, “I love you” and says, “…this isn’t who I was meant to be — I know it! I’m scared I can’t get back.”

Read more at TMZ

Oksana to Mel: ‘U Dint Do Anything’

Oksana Grigorieva sent Mel Gibson an email on March 1, 2010 … telling him he had no reason to be hard on himself and professing her love for him … at the very time she now claims she was in fear for her life.

Oksana’s email was sent less than 2 hours after she received an email from Mel in which he called himself a “f**king failure.” TMZ has obtained copies of both Mel’s email and Oksana’s response.

Oksana emails on her iPhone, “Please don’t torcher urself like that, please!!!! U dint do anything to be so hard on urself. U r amazing man and always will be in my eyes and I will make sure Lucy knows it.”

Oksana’s email was sent nearly 2 months after their blowout argument on January 6, in which she claims Mel knocked two of her teeth out. Sources say Oksana told Sheriff’s investigators in March she was in mortal fear of Mel and felt he was a danger to Lucia.

But Oksana’s email goes on: “U r an anusually extraordinary person. Ur versitile talent speaks louder than the words! U r capable to make a masterpiece about jesus and to build the church for him! U r just one person, but u did this! In itself it’s a lifetime wearthy atchivements, but for only chosen one.”

Oksana ends her email by writing, “I love u, that doesn’t change. Even if u don’t want it anymore.”

Source: TMZ

Oksana to Mel — It’s PR War!

Oksana Grigorieva is meeting Tuesday with her new dream team of lawyers … and we’re told the first order of business is resurrecting her image.

We’re told Oksana believes she is losing the public relations war to Mel Gibson and wants her lawyers to turn it around … stat.

Oksana has multiple lawyers working on child custody, support, a civil suit against Mel, the domestic violence investigation and the extortion probe. But, we’re told, Oksana is fixated on her bad PR.

And there’s yet another member of Oksana’s legal team. TMZ has learned Oksana has retained Robin Sax, a former L.A. County Deputy District Attorney who specialized in prosecuting sex crimes against children. She’s also a legal media maven … who will almost certainly weigh in on the PR front.

The big meeting is Tuesday.

Source: TMZ

Oksana: Mel’s Lawyers Went Nuclear Over Chernobyl

Oksana Grigorieva is pissed that Mel Gibson’s lawyers insinuated she pocketed money during a trip she took to Moscow to help victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

As TMZ first reported … Oksana was grilled during her deposition last week about her finances.  We’re told Mel’s lawyers spent time asking her about the trip she took in April, where she performed at a charity concert to help Chernobyl victims.

Our sources say Oksana felt “harassed” by the line of questioning and felt Mel’s lawyers were “nasty.”

We’re told Oksana insisted she didn’t make a penny off the two concerts — sponsored by the Chernobyl’s Children’s Project International and the Grant A Life Foundation — which raised money for 50 kids in need of heart surgery.

Source: TMZ

Sheriff’s Dept. Hones in on Oksana’s Deal

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department is inquiring about the $15 million deal Oksana Grigorieva struck with Mel Gibson during their mediation — and the mediation is relevant both for Oksana’s domestic violence claim and Mel’s extortion claim.

Sources say Sheriff’s investigators are interested in both the evidence presented during the mediation and the evidence that is notably absent.

For example, there are now reports that Oksana claims to have photographic evidence of a black eye following the Jan. 6 fight. Sources involved in the mediation tell TMZ Oksana never mentioned a black eye nor did she present photos to anyone connected to the mediation. The black eye issue was never raised in any form whatsoever, sources tell TMZ.

Furthermore, we’re told, the tapes were the 800-pound elephant in the room that led to the $15 million agreement — which Oksana later disavowed.

As one source connected with the mediation said, “Oksana and her lawyer pulled out all the ammo they had that would embarrass Mel, and now things are surfacing after the fact that call her credibility into question.”

We’re told Sheriff’s investigators are looking at the mediation both to evaluate Oksana’s credibility and to determine if there is evidence of extortion

Source: TMZ

Oksana/Mel Tell Different Stories Re: Extortion

There is a “long paper trail” showing Oksana Grigorieva tried to extort money from Mel Gibson in return for keeping the tapes secret … this according to sources connected with the actor.

But a source close to Oksana tells TMZ, “She did not try to extort Mel Gibson nor did she ask him for money in return for the tapes.”

As we have previously reported, Mel’s attorneys plan to meet with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department to make “a presentation of evidence” — which, we’re told, includes their evidence of alleged extortion.

Source: TMZ

Oksana Went Dental, Did Mel Go Mental?

Oksana Grigorieva did indeed go to the dentist for teeth repairs after her confrontation with Mel Gibson on January 6, TMZ has learned.  The question … was the damage done at the hands of one Mel Gibson?

TMZ broke the story … Oksana claims Mel struck her in the face twice during a heated argument, knocking out teeth and giving her a concussion.

Now we’ve learned there are photos of the damage to Oksana’s teeth and, we’re told, medical records showing she went to a dentist the following day.

Sources connected with Oksana tell TMZ one tooth was completely knocked out and another was chipped.

Sources connected with Mel, however, tell TMZ Oksana’s teeth were not damaged … just the veneers, and the source says Mel didn’t cause the damage.  The source adds, “Mel has no idea what she did after he left the house.”

TMZ broke the story … Oksana has several recordings of arguments with Mel she secretly taped.  Sources connected with Oksana say the tapes incriminate Mel in the January 6 incident.  Sources connected with Mel beg to differ.

Source: TMZ