HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating claims that Mel Gibson's estranged girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, attempted to extort money from the actor in exchange for keeping their heated phone calls a secret.
"Extortion allegations have been brought to our attention and we are certainly going to be looking at that," L.A. Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore told TMZ.
On Tuesday, Gibson's legal team reportedly told officials that they have proof a crime was committed and that Grigorieva lied to authorities. However, her rep, Stephen Jaffe, has denied any wrongdoing.
"To specifically address the allegations, my client, Ms. Grigorieva, has repeatedly stated that there is no credible evidence whatsoever of extortion by her, and she stands steadfastly by that statement," Jaffe told TMZ.
TMZ previously reported that Grigorieva walked away from a $15 million payday that would have kept the now infamous tapes a secret. Gibson, 54, and Grigorieva, 40, allegedly hashed out the agreement in May during child custody mediation involving their 8-month-old daughter, Lucia. The $15 million sum would have included child support, a house and other assets. In exchange, Grigorieva was to ensure that all "evidence" associated with the case would remain confidential.
The agreement reportedly fell apart when attorneys from both sides put the terms into a more formal contract, which Grigorieva became hestitant to sign.
RadarOnline has released several of the alleged phone calls between Gibson and Grigorieva. In one tape, Grigorieva allegedly ridicules Gibson for beating her.
"I am saving my life and I'm saving my daughter's life," she says. "I don't give a damn about my music and I don't give a damn about you spending another penny. I'm saving her life. You almost killed us, did you forget? You were hitting a woman with a child in her hand. What kind of man is that?"
"Oh, you're all angry now," Gibson purportely replies. "You know what, you f--king deserved it"
Police have already opened a domestic violence investigation involving the former lovers, whose bitter breakup began when they split in April after a year of dating.
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