It seemed as if the ugly divorce battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was over, but now there’s drama on a whole new front, with Heard accusing Depp of some financial funny business in relation to her settlement.
Depp had previously agreed to pay Heard a sum of $US7 million at the conclusion of their relationship, money she had planned to donate to various charitable causes, including the LA Children’s Hospital, and ACLU initiatives combating violence against women.
That was all well and good, but now, according to Heard’s legal team, it appears that Depp has decided to hold on to the money in order to make payments himself, and recently donated what will be “multiple” instalments on her behalf.
This move is presumably intended to take advantage of the tax breaks associated with charitable donations, and Heard’s lawyers have been quick to blast it as a “transparent” attempt to relieve the financial burden placed on him.
In a statement, one of Heard’s representatives said:
“If Johnny wishes to change the settlement agreement, we must insist that he honour the full amount by donating $US14 million to charity, which after accounting for his tax deduction, is equal to his $7 million payment obligation to Amber. We would also insist that the full amount be paid immediately and not drawn out over many years.”
Her rep was plainly cynical about the actor’s motives, insisting that:
“Anything less would be a transparent attempt by Johnny’s counsel, Laura Wasser and Patti Glaser, to reduce their client’s true payment by half under the guise of new-found concern for charities that he has never previously supported.”
Depp and Heard split in May, and the actress was granted a restraining order against him, after accusing him of domestic abuse. In the months leading up to their divorce, various leaked videos appeared to back up her claims about Depp.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star has previously said that he “deeply respects” Heard’s decision to give away the entirety of her $7m settlement to charitable causes.
“Over the years, I have seen firsthand how more funding for staffing, better equipment and better medication can make the difference between life or death for a child,” Heard said at the time.
“I know these organisations will put the funds to good use and look forward to continuing to support them in the future. Hopefully, this experience results in a positive change in the lives of people who need it the most.”
Source: Daily Mail.
Photo: Axelle / Bauer Griffin / Getty.
Photo: Axelle / Bauer Griffin / Getty.
