Exclusive

EXCLUSIVE: Mel Gibson Facing Criminal Charges, His Lawyer Has Last-Chance Meeting With Prosecutors

Jan. 19 2011, Published 2:10 p.m. ET

Prosecutors are ready to file criminal charges against Hollywood superstar Mel Gibson for hitting Oksana Grigorieva, the mother of his daughter, RadarOnline.com is reporting exclusively.

The Los Angeles District Attorney granted Gibson’s high-powered criminal lawyer Blair Berk a last-ditch meeting late Tuesday afternoon, as she she sought to persuade authorities not to charge the actor.

Deputy District Attorney John Lynch met with Berk at the Airport Courthouse for close to two hours.

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However, law enforcement sources connected to the case told RadarOnline.com, before the meeting, that it was almost inevitable that Gibson, 55, would be charged.

A charge of domestic violence/corporal injury involving a former cohabitant is looming for the Oscar-winning actor/director, sources said.

It can be prosecuted as a felony or misdemeanor.

If convicted of a felony, the Lethal Weapon star could face up to four years in state prison; if convicted of a misdemeanor, he could face up to one year in county jail.

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While Berk made her bid, multiple sources, all with intimate knowledge of the situation, said the District Attorney had made its stunning decision in the last few days to prosecute the award-winning movie star.

Lynch along with his associate Simone Shay met with the District Attorney’s top brass several weeks ago to present the evidence they believe could convict Gibson.

“Blair is aware that the District Attorney is inclined to file charges against Mel," said one source.

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“The District Attorney has a very strong case, there is a lot of information that the public and Mel Gibson are unaware that the DA has.

A RadarOnline.com reporter eye witnessed Berk leave the Airport Courthouse shortly before 5pm.

Grigorieva, 40, has claimed Gibson punched her in the head on January 6 at his multi-million dollar Malibu mansion, knocking out two veneers on her upper front teeth while she held their then-infant daughter, Lucia.