June 1, 2022

Johnny Depp awarded $15 million in defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard

By Shirvan Williams

The bitter defamation case between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp has come to an official close after the seven-member jury found both parties liable for defamation in their lawsuits against each other.

Depp sued Heard, his ex-wife, for defamation over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in which she described herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse. Even though the Hollywood star wasn’t mentioned in the article his career suffered a damaging blow due to the allegations made by Heard.

Heard, who starred in Aquaman, countersued her ex-husband for defamation over statements Depp’s attorney made about her abuse claims. The jury awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million dollars in punitive damages.

They also awarded Heard $2 million in compensatory damages and no money for punitive damages. Depp was seeking $50 million in damages and Heard sought $100 million.

Depp who was not present for the verdict sent a message.

“From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me,” he said.

He added: “I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.”

 

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