http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/15166877.htmMel Gibson checks into rehab after DUI arrest
Folks around Malibu can stop ducking for a few weeks. Mel Gibson is going to rehab.
The Oscar-winning and devoutly Christian actor, who reportedly went on a drunken, anti-Semitic rant last weekend in Malibu when arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, is in a treatment facility at an undisclosed location, his publicist, Alan Nierob, told E! News on Monday.
At least he won't struggle with that part of the 12 steps concerning acceptance of a higher power.
A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Monday the official incident report contains allegations Gibson made anti-Semitic accusations, threatened a deputy and had a tequila bottle in his car when pulled over on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Gibson released a statement Saturday apologizing for saying "despicable" things when arrested, but didn't elaborate. Web site TMZ.com reported the sheriff's department was considering eliminating the anti-Semitic remarks from its official report, which the department has denied. TMZ reported Gibson said, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," and asked the arresting officer "Are you a Jew?"
Gibson's statement said he's struggled with alcoholism and has taken steps "to ensure my return to health."
Questions over police covering up Gibson's remarks came partly because of Gibson's relationship with Sheriff Lee Baca. Gibson has dressed in a sheriff's uniform to film public service announcements for Baca's Star Organization, which provides scholarships for children of department employees. Gibson has also donated $10,000 to the fund.
Deputies clocked Gibson's 2006 Lexus at 87 mph in a 45 mph zone just after 2:30 a.m. A breath test indicated Gibson's blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent. Gibson posted $5,000 bail and was released hours later.
Gibson has previously faced accusations of anti-Semitism. He produced, directed and financed "The Passion of the Christ," which some Jewish leaders said cast Jews as the killers of Jesus. Days before "Passion" was released, Gibson's father, Hutton Gibson, was quoted saying the Holocaust was mostly "fiction."
ANOTHER ITEM WE CAN'T MAKE FUN OF: Child actress Dakota Fanning, 12, will appear semi-naked and has shot child rape scenes for the upcoming film "Hounddog," according to IMDb.com.
Guess this won't be another Disney feel-good story for the kids.
The controversial film, written and directed by Deborah Kampmeier, is a dark and violent story set in the American rural South. Fanning's agent, Joy Osbrink, told the New York Daily News her performance is Oscar-worthy. "It's not just the rape scene -- the whole story is challenging Dakota as an actress. And I've never been so proud of her in my life."
NICK LACHEY HATES CELL PHONES: Representatives for Nick Lachey are firing back at a student accusing the singer of roughing him up when he tried to take a picture of Lachey on his cell phone Friday night.
Younes Renak, 18, claims Lachey went crazy when he tried to snap a photo of him inside an elevator at 2 a.m., and began pushing him around. The alleged altercation started at the fashionable Rivergate apartment building in New York City, where Lachey's girlfriend, TV presenter Vanessa Minnillo, lives.
It could've been worse. He could've been stuck in the elevator with Mel Gibson and a bottle of tequila.
Web site IMDb.com says Renak's lawyer, Saul Bienenfeld (an 18-year-old with a lawyer -- can't imagine where this is going), told the New York Post's Page Six, "It was a cell phone, (it) wasn't a paparazzi kind of thing (wait for it ...). We're talking about an 18-year-old kid taking in life in the big city." (Wait for it ...)
(Here it comes ...) Bienenfeld says his client is considering SUING the singer. Heavens, no. That poor kid must've been damaged beyond repair. He must have no choice.
Meanwhile, Lachey's representatives dispute the claims, insisting Renak started harassing Lachey at a drugstore, then followed him into the building. Lachey's lawyer, Mitch Schuster, says, "We believe it was a lot more than a young man trying to take a picture." It will be once the subpoenas start arriving.
Today's People Column was compiled by Tony Hicks from news service reports. Comments? Write to us c/o the Times, P.O. Box 8099, Walnut Creek, CA 94596-8099. Or call 925-943-8262, fax 925-943-8265, or e-mail
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