New York Daily News

LOS ANGELES – A day after being arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, Mel Gibson apologized Saturday for getting behind the wheel while “inebriated” and said he was “deeply ashamed” of the “despicable” things he said in an abusive rant to police officers.

The sheriff’s department has refused to release either Gibson’s mug shot or the report of the arresting officer, Deputy James Mee.

But celebrity news Web site TMZ.com obtained several pages of Mee’s report and published explosive details.

According to Mee’s report, Gibson swore at and threatened the deputy.

“The Passion of the Christ” director also made anti-Semitic remarks, according to the Web site, including blaming the Jews for all the wars in the world, Mee’s report says.

He was released at 9:45 a.m. Friday on $5,000 bail.

“I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to another person,” Gibson said in his statement.

The Australian actor said he had battled alcoholism “for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse.”

He said he had “already taken necessary steps to ensure my return to health,” but did not elaborate.

Police officials, meanwhile, denied they purposely covered up the star’s tirade.

“There was no favoritism. There was no sanitization. A complete report of everything that occurred will be turned over to the district attorney,” sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said.

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