Behind the Mel Gibson scandal: The untold story of a Hollywood cover-up

In this insightful episode of Pop Culture History, Harvey Levin reveals the high-stakes drama behind TMZ’s 2006 exposé on Mel Gibson’s arrest. What started as a tip about a routine DUI on the Pacific Coast Highway quickly spiraled into a massive scandal involving an anti-Semitic rant and a coordinated police cover-up. Despite the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department repeatedly labeling the report a lie and warning it would ruin the outlet’s reputation, Levin held his ground.

The story highlights the tension between celebrity influence and media accountability, detailing how secret police documents finally surfaced to confirm the truth. Beyond the actor's controversial remarks, Levin explains that the real story was the department's attempt to protect a prominent supporter by scrubbing records. This authentic look back explores the personal and legal battles that followed, including the targeting of a deputy and a direct threat to First Amendment rights, forever changing the landscape of entertainment journalism.