Builder Goes After Mel Gibson's House...and His Church

Two lawsuits claim actor owes thousands for various Malibu properties, including his private house of worship

Mel Gibson has had his share of troubles. But at least he's always had a nice, quiet place to pray.

The construction company that built several Malibu properties, including a private Catholic chapel, for Gibson and his ex-wife Robyn is suing the duo and the religious nonprofit that technically owns the house of worship, alleging that the Gibsons have fallen a little short on their tithes.

So is Gibson going to have to seek salvation elsewhere?

Well, not unless he wants to, probably.

Ramage Construction claims that Gibson owes roughly $24,900 for work done on three parcels of land around Malibu, where the actor-director is trying to unload the house that Lethal Weapon built, a 5,403-square-foot mansion and surrounding luxuries.

Gibson's Palm Canyon Lane residence is one of three properties mentioned in the suit, which is demanding that the court initiate foreclosure proceedings and that the L.A. County Sheriff be responsible for selling off the land so that Rampage gets paid.

In a second suit, filed against the A.P. Reilly Foundation, a nonprofit started by Gibson in honor of his late mother, Rampage claims that it's owed $193,163 for services rendered on the chapel built more or less in Gibson's backyard.

The builder wants the sheriff to do away with the chapel, too, unless it gets its money.

One would think that Gibson has a few hundred-thousand dollars in mad money lying around. So to speak.