In an appearance on US network NBC's "Today,"
show, Grigorieva's attorneys spoke publicly for the first time on the scandal
that has engulfed Gibson over audiotapes of phone calls in which he rants at,
and appears to threaten, his former lover. Los Angeles police are investigating
Gibson on suspicion of domestic abuse, and Grigorieva for possible extortion.
Neither have been charged. Gibson and the Russian-born model and singer split
up earlier this year after having a baby following the end of the "Braveheart"
star's 28-year marriage. Gibson has remained silent in the face of weeks of
damaging publicity over the tapes.
"The media seems to focus on whether she extorted
Mel Gibson," lawyer Daniel Horowitz said on Wednesday of Grigorieva. He
called her a "domestic violence victim. She was beaten, she was
terrorized." Horowitz denied reports that Grigorieva asked for money in
exchange for not releasing the infamous audio tapes, or photos of herself with
a chipped tooth that she said resulted when the Oscar-winner allegedly punched
her in the face.
But Horowitz said that "anybody who is beaten or
threatened has the right to document it." "Otherwise it is going to
be Mel Gibson, one of the most popular loved superstars in the world against a
lone woman," he said.
Horowitz said Grigorieva did not profit from the leaked
tapes and claimed that she had tried to hold back any publicity that would hurt
Gibson.
Actress Jodie Foster, who co-starred with Gibson in the
1994 film "Maverick" and worked with him on the upcoming movie
"The Beaver," came to the actor's defense this week.
Foster told More magazine in an interview released on
Tuesday that Gibson was the "easiest, nicest person I've ever worked
with." "When you love a friend, you don't abandon them when they are
struggling," Foster told the magazine. "I hope I can help him get
through this dark moment."
