Gibson Seeks Rehab

July 31, 2006 — -- Mel Gibson has reportedly sought rehab treatment, three days after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

"He is in a program of recovery at this time," Gibson's spokesman, Alan Neirob, told Star magazine.

The 50-year-old Oscar-winning director and actor was arrested Friday in Los Angeles. Law enforcement officers said they clocked him doing 87 mph in a 45 mph zone. A breath test indicated Gibson's blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent, sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said. In California a driver is legally intoxicated at 0.08 percent.

While it's not known where Gibson will be treated, Chris Printiss, the co-founder of celebrity treatment center Passages in Malibu, said he's aware of Gibson's plans.

"I understand he has gone to a treatment center," he told the magazine. "The center that I've heard he's checked himself into follows the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program. And I don't believe that will help him."

"He needs individual intense therapy by a team of people who know what they are looking for in causes in alcoholism."

Earlier on Monday, Malibu officials were defending the handling of Gibson's arrest amid allegations the department covered up anti-Semitic remarks Gibson reportedly made while he was in police custody.

The allegations of anti-Semitism stem from a leaked arrest report posted on the Web site TMZ.com quoting Gibson as saying, "The Jews are responsible forall the wars in the world," and asking a deputy, "Are you a Jew?"

"This case is going to go to the district attorney," Whitmore told reporters. "In that case file will be his statement, will be our report, will be everything pertinent to his blood-alcohol level. We have done our job. We hope we've done it with not only professionalism and intelligence, but held to the highest standard.of legal and moral imperative."

Whitmore said county prosecutors will decide the next step after a review of the case, but that the Sheriff's Department was "convinced because of our investigation and because of his own self-illuminating statement that he will be convicted of driving under the influence."