The bitter and lengthy trial between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp finally reached a verdict today, with Heard being ordered to pay Depp $US10.4 in damages. He must also pay her $US2 million. However, both actors had their money troubles detailed during the trial, so what happens if they can’t pay?
ICYMI, Depp sued Heard for defamation after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post in 2018 titled, “I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath. She didn’t name Depp in the piece, however, he claimed that his career suffered as a result of the implications. The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean star asked for $US 50 million in compensation.
Heard then countersued Depp for $US 100 million in damage, claiming that his legal team falsely accused her of fabricating claims against Depp.
The verdict was decided by a jury, and Heard was ordered to pay $US10.4 million in the defamation case, and Depp to pay $US2 million in the counter case.
Depp broke into the mainstream as an actor back in 1984 in A Nightmare on Elm Street and he has worked steadily ever since, amassing a huge fortune and a prominent name for himself. While Heard has acted in some big-name films, she hasn’t experienced the meteoric success Depp has.
Depp’s current estimated net worth sits at $US 150 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, whereas Heard’s is estimated to be around US$8 million. If the calculations are correct, Depp can easily pay his amount, but Heard will go into bankruptcy. However, during the trial, Depp’s excessive spending was highlighted, and his former manager and agent testified that he’d “eroded his wealth over time”.
The case was held in Virginia, and by the state’s law, Heard will have up to 30 years to pay the $US10.4 million to Depp. Speaking of what will happen in either party doesn’t have enough money, former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told The Daily Beast that Depp may not actually enforce the payment.
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“I don’t think she can pay. She kept the $7 million [from the divorce settlement] because she had to pay for legal fees,” Rahmani added. “The question is whether Johnny Depp is really going to enforce the judgment against his ex-wife. Is he really going to take her wages? She may have to raise her bank accounts in order to do so.”
“This whole trial is about more than money,” Rahmani maintained. “It’s about vindication and about setting the facts straight.”
EW has reported that Heard plans to appeal the decision. If her appeal is successful, the first decision will be overturned, and neither will owe each other any money until a decision is made in the new trial.
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