Los Angeles ? Mel Gibson was heard allegedly acknowledging he hit the mother of his 8-month-old daughter in a recording released Monday by a celebrity news website.

The eight-minute recording posted by RadarOnline.com was purportedly a phone argument between Gibson and then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.

A voice sounding distinctively like the Academy Award-winner was heard telling Grigorieva that she “deserved” to be hit after she chastised him for allegedly punching her in the face and breaking two of her teeth.

Alan Nierob, a spokesman for Gibson, declined comment on the tape.

The former couple have been locked in a bitter custody dispute in Los Angeles. The 40-year-old singer has accused Gibson of domestic violence, prompting sheriff’s officials to launch an investigation.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said investigators will evaluate the recordings.