Is it true that Mel Gibson's soon-to-be ex wife, Robyn Gibson, is siding with him over baby mama Oksana Grigorieva?
—Farewell, via the Answer B!tch inbox
Apparently. In fact Robyn Moore Gibson reportedly has gone so far as to make a sworn statement supporting her cuckoo-bird ally. In a new development, she has testified that Gibson was never physically abusive during their 28-year marriage and was a lovely dad. As for why she's saying all this, her motives may be not be as altruistic as they appear...
First, the details. According to TMZ and other reports, Robyn makes two key points in her new sworn statement. She reportedly asserts that "Mel never engaged in any physical abuse of any kind toward me before, during or after our marriage" and that "Mel was a wonderful and loving father."
According to People, Robyn Gibson's statement was logged Thursday in family court, in connection with the ongoing custody battle between Mel and ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.
"Mel's lawyers probably asked her to do it, and she said yes," says Ellyn Garofalo, partner at the law firm Liner Grode.
Grigorieva has accused the actor of getting violent in the presence of their baby daughter. Robyn and Mel Gibson, meanwhile, have seven children together.
But what are Robyn Gibson's motivations for accommodating Mel's attorneys? She apparently wants the court, if not the world, to know that she never allowed her children to be hurt while they were under her roof. Otherwise, she might look like a poor parent...or simply like a woman with poor judgment.
"Robyn's tried to stay out of this, but she wanted to make sure there was no speculation of what happened within her family," a source close to her told People.
However, there's also an indication that Robyn's statement will be submitted to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating Mel for alleged domestic abuse against Grigorieva. If that's the case, then Robyn's motivations may be more about money. More specifically, spousal support payments.
"If she's still relying on his income, and if he gets convicted of a felony, that could adversely affect his ability to earn that income," says Tom Brown, managing partner and criminal defense specialist at the law firm Brown White & Newhouse. "She may have a financial interest in making sure that nothing bad happens to him."
Whatever the reason, Mel should consider himself grateful for any ally he can muster.
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Photos: Mel Gibson's Crazy Faces