Mel Gibson Attacks Paparazzi: Photographer Falsely Accusing Actor

Actor Mel Gibson was allegedly involved in an incident with a persistent photographer yesterday, that ended with the photographer filing a report against the actor. According to accesshollywood.com, the victim is claiming that he was pushed by Gibson when he tried to take a photo.

Mel Gibson and his pregnant girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva were attending the grand opening of the Playhouse Nightclub, where the incident was meant to have taken place. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said that the man stated he wasn’t injured.

Although in an initial investigation, detectives interviewed witnesses, who reportedly disputed the victims account. Other reports have suggested that the police feel that the photographer is falsely accusing Mel Gibson and no criminal charges will be filed against him.

Angry Jude 'snaps at photgrapher'

Riled up Jude Law has lost his cool with the paparazzi again after he was pictured 'accidentally' slapping a female photographer in the face in the early hours of this morning.

Moody Jude allegedly lashed out at the woman, who appeared to get in his path as he left The Automat bar in Mayfair at 12.30am.

Pow: Jude takes a hand to the back of the snapper's head

Fuming Jude is pictured seemingly swinging his arm out at the paparazzo, with other pictures showing his hand pushing the back of her head.

The 28-year-old woman is then pictured holding her face and apparently wincing in pain.

The alleged bust-up kicked off after the actor let his hair down in the same venue as Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio following his latest performance in Hamlet at the Wyndham Theater.

But a spokesperson for the star, 36, has been quick to defend the actor's action.

A spokeswoman said: 'This is all nonsense. Last night's incident was an accident.'

'Jude was blinded by the camera flashes when he left the restaurant, raised his hand to shield himself and inadvertently struck somebody standing very close. He apologised and left. Pictures of this sort can often be misleading.

Out of my face: Photographer holds her face as Jude puts his arm up

The actor's meltdown is not his first paparazzi-related incident. He was arrested two years ago for allegedly attacking a photographer near his home.

Today, Jude's latest 'victim' was quick to speak out and defend herself after the street tussle.

The photographer claimed: 'He hit me full on the face, it was a real stinger, it was very sore.'

The actor's outburst comes after recent pictures have shown him glum under the strain of droves of autograph hunters outside his theater each night.

Sienna Miller: I flashed paparazzi

But they weren't allowed to take her photo

Sienna Miller teased paparazzi photographers who are banned from taking her picture.

The actress, 27, admits it gave her great satisfaction.

'I was the first person to ever sue and win on harassment so now they can't do anything, she told Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear.

'I actually saw two of them the other day that I recognised and I started running.

'And they were like "we can't", and I was like haha and flashed them. It was the best feeling.'

Calif. bill proposes fines for paparazzi

A bill to crack down on the paparazzi is making progress in Sacramento, calling for steep fines for photographers who break the law.

The increase in clashes between paparazzi and celebrities in recent years has not gone unnoticed. A recent encounter between Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, and a photographer quickly escalated. Massive paparazzi crowds have surrounded Britney Spears and created conflict with Malibu residents who were protecting Matthew McConaughey.

A state Senate committee approved an amendment to an anti-paparazzi bill by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass. The amendment is aimed at keeping paparazzi from trespassing onto celebrity estates and from violating traffic laws. In addition, government prosecutors and private individuals could seek civil fines of up to $50,000 against violators.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the California Newspaper Publishers Association oppose the measure, citing violations of free speech. They also say the measure will not solve the current problem.

Assembly Speaker Bass issued the following statement :

"Out of control paparazzi are an increasing threat -- not only to the celebrities they stalk but to the public at large if they happen to get in their way. As long as this reckless behavior remains lucrative, the current laws on the books won't be enough to prevent it. That's why AB 524 goes after the money that spurs reckless paparazzi activity and allows for sanctions against those who knowingly sell or use these ill-gotten images."

The measure still requires a vote by the full Senate.

OK! Looks to Cash In on Michael Jackson Death Cover

OK! Weekly is bracing for some flak over its pick for this week’s cover. While other publications went with feel-good images to commemorate Michael Jackson, OK! chose a grim photo of the dying star being whisked to the hospital June 25.

A knowledgeable source said British parent Northern & Shell paid the equivalent of roughly $500,000 in U.S. dollars for exclusive magazine rights to the photo in the U.S. and U.K.

OK! claims that the photo, which is similar to an image that has appeared on Entertainment Tonight’s Web site, is the last one showing Jackson alive. It plans to use the image in a number of its international editions.

News and entertainment weeklies are counting on huge newsstand sales this week due to the public’s huge interest in the pop phenom’s death. OK! in particular could use the help; its single-copy sales, which provide more than half its 909,884 circulation, have been generally weak this year. (The magazine says that sales have improved in the past few weeks but wouldn’t give out those figures.)

OK! also has been under the harsh spotlight lately over financial losses and continual changes at the masthead.

Sarah Ivens, OK!’s editorial director, said she thought the photo of the dying Jackson would differentiate the title from the rash of tribute-style covers that have begun hitting newsstands this week.

“It’s a photo that captures the surprise and the upset and the moment of this breaking news story,” Ivens said. “I hope the cover will provoke readers. It celebrated the man, but it also does expose that he was an eccentric character who lived a very controversial life.”