(LibertySociety.com) – In 2019, “Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard, his ex-wife, for defamation. A year earlier, she wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post, which didn’t name Depp directly but focused on abuse she had allegedly suffered in a relationship. This led to a chain of events that ultimately resulted in Depp taking her to court to clear his name — and he won. The jury awarded him $15 million.
Although Heard subsequently filed an appeal of the verdict, on December 19, she announced the two settled out of court. Instead of having to pay the amount that was reduced to $10.35 million by Virginia law, Depp’s attorneys indicated their client agreed to accept $1 million from Heard.
Amber Heard settles with Johnny Depp and speaks out: "I will not be threatened, disheartened, or dissuaded by what happened from speaking the truth. No one can and no one will take that from me. My voice forever remains the most valuable asset I have." https://t.co/m6xTr4nwJA
— Variety (@Variety) December 19, 2022
The long-time actor also filed an appeal to the court, as the jury ordered him to pay $2 million to his ex for the actions of his then-lawyer, Adam Waldman. Depp asserted that he is not responsible for his attorney’s statements against Heard. There’s no word on whether or not dropping that case was also part of the settlement.
The actress still insists she told the truth during the trial, but Attorneys Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez — part of Depp’s team — made it clear in a statement that the jury’s verdict still stands despite the monetary agreement, and that Heard’s settlement was her “acknowledgement of the conclusion of the legal system’s rigorous pursuit for justice.” They further announced their client had already pledged the million dollars to various charities and Depp plans to donate the money.
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