MEL GIBSON has piled $9.6 million into his private church fund, putting his claims of "being broke" into question.
RadarOnline.com has obtained the new federal tax filing for the troubled star’s A P Reilly Foundation, which shows the actor has made a massive tax free contribution to the Holy Family Church boosting its worth to almost $60 million.
The controversial Malibu church was built by Gibson and has a tiny congregation of just 100 people including Mel’s ex-wife Robyn.
Gibson’s investment will no doubt enrage ex baby mama Oksana Grigorieva who filed contempt of court charges against Mel. She’s accusing him of failing to hand over $20,000-month in child support.
They are slated to "face-off" in court today.
Yet, starting your own church to hide your earnings is nothing new.
It was the impetus, multiple reports say, behind sci-fi pulp writer L. Ron Hubbard to launch Scientology – a religion which counts Tom Cruise and John Travolta among its acolytes.
Unlike Scientology, however, Mel doesn’t believe an alien god, Xenu, is trapped in a volcano.
He does believe fervently in The Passion of the Christ.
AND making money.