Mel Gibson is in the middle of another media scandal. The actor is now being accused of physically and verbally abusing News Corp Australia photographer, Kristi Miller, outside Palace Verona Cinema in Sydney, Australia on Sunday (August 23). The Expendables 3 star is currently under investigation by New South Wales Police for allegedly attacking the photographer.
Gibson allegedly pushed Miller from behind after she snapped a photograph of the 59-year-old actor and his 23-year-old girlfriend Rosalind Ross leaving the cinema, according to News Corp publication the Daily Telegraph, who Miller was working for at the time. Gibson and Ross were watching films from this year's Israeli Film Festival.
"I thought he was going to punch me in the face," said Miller. "He was spitting in my face as he was yelling at me, calling me a dog, saying I'm not even a human being and I will go to hell. He swore and called me a c**t. It was non-stop, he didn't even breathe."
Gibson's American publicist, Alan Nierob of the Rogers and Cowens Agency denied all allegations, both physical and verbal, calling them lies. Gibson believes Miller was invading his personal space and "disrespecting" him by taking the photo, but Miller insisted she was several meters away from the actor when she took the photographs.
"There was no physical contact whatsoever with this photographer, who was harassing my client and his friend," Nierob said.
Superintendent Tony Crandell is looking for detailed evidence throughout the investigation. Crandell hopes to interview Gibson about the altercation, as well as, gain any available closed-circuit television footage that might've be taken.
This isn't the first time Gibson was accused of abuse against a woman. In 2010, he was accused of striking his former partner, Oksana Grigorieva, during an argument. Grigorieva is the mother of his daughter, Lucia. The charges were dropped after the Oscar-winning director completed three years of probation, domestic violence counseling and two days of community service.
Miller has gained support from the Daily Telegraph editor, Paul Whitaker, who believes she was simply doing her job. "Being a movie star does not give him the right to shove and insult someone," said Whitaker. We are providing support for Kristi during this process and assisting police with their inquiries. We know Kristi to be eminently professional and have no doubt she conducted herself appropriately.''
Gibson has been in Australia for several months now filming a WWII drama called Hacksaw Ridge. He's been spotted out and about with Ross on a few occasions, including the premiere of Tim Minchin's musical version of Matilda. He has yet to speak on the matter.
