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Mel Gibson dropped by agent as fallout over alleged assault and racist rants continues

Mel Gibson has been dropped by his agent, TMZ reported Friday, as the actor faces up to four years jail for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.

William Morris Endeavour Entertainment, headed by Ari Emanuel — who inspired the character Ari Gold on hit TV show “Entourage” — ditched Gibson amid accusations the star made death threats to Russian ex-lover Grigorieva, the entertainment website said.

It comes one week after the death of the “Braveheart” actor’s representative Ed Limato, who worked as an agent at the company.

It is the latest blow for Gibson, who was caught on tape threatening to bury Grigorieva — the mother of his 8-month-old daughter Lucia — in the rose garden of his multi-million dollar mansion.

In the tape, released by entertainment website RadarOnline, Gibson is heard verbally abusing Grigorieva in a racist rant.

“You’re an embarrassment to me. You look like a f***ing bitch in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of n***ers, it will be your fault,” Gibson is heard as saying.

According to the entertainment website, a source “with direct knowledge of the situation” said, “When things in their relationship started going badly and he made the first threats against her, Grigorieva decided she needed to protect herself.”

“She made the recordings and on one of them, Mel is heard telling Oksana, ‘I will bury you in the rose garden,’ which she believed to be a clear reference to killing her,” the source said.

Gibson’s lawyers have now filed legal papers accusing Grigorieva of contempt of court in their custody battle for releasing the tape to media. A restraining order was issued against Grigorieva late last month which prohibited her from leaking the tapes.

Gibson and his lawyers believe Grigorieva sold the tapes for a large sum of money. They have filed legal papers asking Los Angeles Judge Scott Gordon to issue an order allowing them to search Grigorieva’s computer and iPhone for emails and text messages showing communications related to the sale of the tapes.

In Los Angeles, the Sheriff’s Department released a statement Thursday confirming it had launched an investigation into domestic violence claims involving Gibson, 54, and Grigorieva, 40, stemming from an alleged incident that occurred last January 6.

Grigorieva claims that on that date, the actor punched her in the face “more than once,” knocking out a veneer, and causing a concussion and a broken tooth. Sources close to Gibson denied the allegations to People magazine and said he was only attempting to stop her from shaking their infant daughter.

Steve Whitmore, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Department stated that the current investigation is preliminary. However an inside source told FOXNews.com that authorities were taking Grigorieva’s assertions extremely seriously.

“It is hard to think she would just break her own teeth — somebody did it to her, and if it was Gibson, he won’t get away with it,” the source said. “Investigators are treating this case very carefully; they’ll be determined to nail him. It’s highly likely he’ll do time (in jail) for this if found guilty.”

The case will be submitted to the District Attorney’s office once the investigation is complete, which could take up to a month.

California trial lawyer Mark Geragos, who listened to the tapes that are currently under seal in L.A Superior Court during the custody battle over Lucia, said prosecutors could potentially present a solid case against Gibson if he is found to have acted unlawfully toward his former flame.

“It may be considered a domestic violence charge, which is battery or unlawful touching. This is generally classified as a misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail. But if he hurt her severely, the courts could upgrade the charge to assault with enhancement of great bodily injury,” Geragos explained.

“The maximum penalty for that is four years behind bars in a state prison, and the D.A.’s office almost always seeks state prison under those charges.”

California attorney Stephen Scherzer told FOXNews.com that Gibson, given his high public profile and reputation, was likely to be a “great target” for the D.A.’s office should they choose to make an example of him. But he said it is doubtful Gibson would serve out a maximum sentence, even if charged with a felony.

“Mel doesn’t appear to be an habitual batterer, and if even he’s found guilty, his lawyers could broker a deal — perhaps spend 90 days in jail and then a probation period,” Scherzer said.

Gibson began dating Grigorieva after filing for divorce from wife Robyn with whom he has one daughter, six sons, and two grandchildren. Grigorieva also has a son with former boyfriend, actor Timothy Dalton.