Gibson Gets Probation For Drunk Driving
Posted August 17, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
And though he wasn’t in a Malibu courtroom on Thursday, his lawyers were. And they ended his time in limbo over a notorious drunk driving arrest.
Gibson agreed to plead no contest to a misdemeanor DUI in exchange for three years probation. Two counts of the original three-count indictment were dismissed.
The actor/director was stopped on July 28th after police saw his car weaving down the road. But it wasn’t so much driving under the influence that raised eyebrows. It’s what Gibson admits he said in his drunken stupor that stunned the world.
He launched into a tirade about Jews, asking the arresting officer if he was Jewish and blaming the religion’s members for “starting all the wars in the world.” He has since apologized profusely for the remarks, insisting they don’t represent his true feelings.
“I am not an anti-Semite,” he protested in a statement released earlier this month. “I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith.”
But suspicions linger in Hollywood that the liquor loosened his lips and brought out his true feelings.
The arrest also led to accusations that the local sheriff’s department was giving the star special treatment. They had his entire rant on tape, but refused to release it to the media pending the trial.
With the plea, that trial won’t happen, so what becomes of the tape? Part of the deal means it will likely never be released.
Among the other provisions of the agreement: Gibson will make some public service announcements about drinking and driving and will enter rehabilitation to fight his alcohol problem.
U.S. Superior Court Judge Lawrence Mira also ordered the troubled actor to attend Alcoholics Anonymous five times a week for at least the next 4½ months, and three AA sessions a week for 7½ months after that.
He was also fined $1,300 and his license was suspended for 90 days.
“This was an appropriate outcome which addresses all the public safety concerns of drinking and driving,” claims Deputy District Attorney Gina Satriano.
While authorities insist they never gave the star any unusual consideration, there is at least one concession they did make.
The Mad Max actor was supposed to be arraigned on September 28th, but the date was moved up at the request of his attorney.
