Johnny Depp
Lawsuit Involving Johnny Depp and His Ex-Managers Aggressively Wages On
On January 13, 2017, Johnny Depp filed a lawsuit against his ex-business managers, The Management Group (TMG), the counts ranged from breach of contract to professional negligence. Depp claimed that TMG paid itself more than $28 million in fees without getting Depp’s written consent. (Is this the way Depp and TMG had been doing business for years? TMG was Depp’s manager for 17 years, was there a time when written consent was required and adhered to? These are factual and contractual issues that are going to be addressed in this suit). Depp also alleged that TMG didn’t file or pay his taxes on time. Hmmm. This seems like a pretty easy one. Taxes due April 15 (and likely quarterly!). TMG if it’s your job to pay them (which as Depp’s financial manager this would seem to be well within your job duties) you either do so or arrange for an extension. This failure to file had pretty serious ramifications for the actor: Depp alleges it resulted in him owing more than $5.6 million in fees and penalties.
Depp also alleged that TMG “loaned” nearly $10 million of his money to third parties–without Depp’s authorization. Ten million? We’re still trying to get back 50 bucks back for an Uber ride we covered for a friend whose app “wasn’t working.” But, as with all lawsuits, there are two sides. And, after reading lots of documents and emails between the parties and their representatives (click here to see our favorite one. It’s about how hard it is for him to curb holiday spending because he wants his kids to have a good Christmas.) TMG points are not without merit. In a nutshell, here is what they have to say for themselves: Depp caused his own financial ruin.
That’s the crux of their argument and at the initial hearing it seemed as if they were dead in the water. Judge Beaudet, the presiding judge, dismissed TMG’s claims related to Depp’s alleged outrageous spending. Put simply, the Judge said Depp’s spending was irrelevant to the commission TMG claimed it was owed or for their work done transitioning their files to Depp’s new representatives–which is what Depp’s lawsuit is based on.
All was not lost for TMG because the judge ruled in their favor regarding their claim of promissory fraud. What is that? It’s when someone promises to do something but never had any intention of doing the thing promised. Here, it’s TMG’s allegation that Depp fraudulently induced them to work without compensation. To be clear, this does not mean that Depp committed fraud rather it means that for now TMG’s fraud claim can stand as there was sufficient information alleged in the complaint to make out the elements of the claim.
TMG naturally counted this as a win but went a step further, amending its cross complaint and adding new and different allegations about Depp’s spending. No doubt they expect the court will not dismiss this second attempt. In the July 2017 filing, TMG alleged that Depp led an “ultra-extravagant lifestyle” throughout the 17-years that Depp was represented by them. They detail a lifestyle that cost about $2 million per month–a lifestyle they say they warned Depp he could not keep up. Once again, they included examples of how the star had un-repaid loans, financial debts, and a huge credit card bills.
Why does TMG keep talking about Depp’s spending? Motive. They assert that Depp, having spent too much of his own money, is going after them because he is broke and looking to dig himself out of a financial hole. TMG attorney Michael Kump said, “Depp’s exorbitant spending remains at the center of this case.” In those amended documents, TMG references specific friends and family members that they loaned Depp’s money to, on Depp’s direction. Depp is trying to get those names removed from the legal documents. Naturally TMG is not having that. Kump believes Depp is doing this to hide the identity of the friends and family as a way to protect himself because, as Kump has said, “Depp knows how ridiculous he will look when these false allegations are publicly disclosed.”
We don’t necessarily agree with Kump’s view of Depp’s intentions on seeking to redact the names of friends and family members. Depp’s decision to hide the identity of the friends and family members could simply be that he wants to protect them, not himself. They didn’t ask to become embroiled in a multi million dollar legal mess.
What has been going on in this case for months now are disputes over documents and information that TMG seeks. They served a subpoena on Depp and they believe they are entitled to the information they requested. Depp’s team filed what is known as a motion to quash. Basically, he is seeking the court to side with him and not order him to turn over documents TMG is requesting. Depp believes the documents are confidential and TMG is not entitled to them. The parties have been trying to resolve the differences out of court but so far, the dispute remains. Certainly, in breach of contract matters, documents that show the pattern and practice of business and communication among the parties and relevant witnesses is critical evidence. But TMG is seeking documents that were exchanged between Depp and his attorney (not the attorney handling this lawsuit) as well as that between him and his long time agent at United Agency.
The case is set for trial January 2018 but given the complexity of the claims, we at PROOF expect that the trial date will be pushed out a few more months, at least.
4 High Profile Celebrity Divorces You’ll Want to Read About
Celebrity news is always a hot topic. Love and dating life of celebs hotter. And celeb divorce probably the hottest. That’s because nothing gives us better insight into the personal lives of the rich and famous more than learning what goes on in the family law courtroom and the celeb news about divorce, annulment, custody, property settlement, and paternity just to name a few of the types of cases that fall into the family law arena.
PROOF is taking a look at some recent big (translation: sad) divorce cases and providing insight into these stories that rocked the celebrity news world. And to provide further insight into these divorces and the fact that divorce is more prevalent in Hollywood, especially among two celeb homes, consider these words from therapist Lindsey M.Hoskins, “There are several reasons that celebrity relationships are uniquely challenging. First, celebrities often spend a great deal of time apart from each other due to their busy travel and shooting schedules, making it difficult to prioritize the relationship. Second, a relationship in which both partners are used to being the center of attention presents challenges related to compromise and being able to put the other person’s needs ahead of one’s own. Third, many celebrities are exposed to almost constant opportunities to explore other relationships. Over time, the temptation can be difficult to resist, and infidelity is common in celebrity couples for this reason.”
Drew Barrymore & Will Kopelman
On July 15, 2016, after four years of marriage, wild-child-turned-Earth-mother Drew Barrymore filed for divorce from art consultant husband Will Kopelman. The two confirmed that they were separated in April 2016 but the “Santa Clarita Diet” actress didn’t file the docs until mid summer. The fallen lovebirds have two daughters, Olive and Frankie. The pair issued a joint statement at about their split, it read: “Sadly our family is separating legally, although we do not feel this takes away from us being a family. Divorce might make one feel like a failure, but eventually you start to find grace in the idea that life goes on. Our children are our universe, and we look forward to living the rest of our lives with them as the first priority.”
On a personal note, we’re sad about this one. Will seemed so solid, such a good long term choice for Drew and we really wanted her to live happily ever after with him and her girls. Though the two are not officially divorced, there has been no talk whatsoever of reconciliation. But it’s clear these two are going to handle the divorce and the future running of their family with grace and ease–can’t say that about the rest of the fallen couples on this list.
Amber Heard & Johnny Depp
In a pretty surprising turn of events, Amber Heard filed for divorce from Johnny Depp on May 25, 2016 after a mere 15 months of marriage. Heard cited irreconcilable differences in her divorce petition. Then, all hell broke loose.
What do we mean by that? Well, let’s start with the fact that on May 27, Heard was granted a restraining order against the beloved “Pirates of the Caribbean” actor and also that photos surfaced that appeared to support Heard’s claims of physical abuse at the hands of Depp. To say Hollywood was thrown into a tizzy about this is an understatement. Almost a year later, we at PROOF remain somewhat perplexed that so many in Hollywood seemed to rush to support Depp and, at the same time, alienate Heard.
After months of arguing, legal wrangling, and excoriating public commentary, Heard and Depp finalized their divorce in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, 2017. The two worked out a settlement that included Depp agreeing to pay Heard $7 million (as well as money towards her legal fees, among other things). Ahh, if only things were that simple though. What seemed like a clean settlement became quite murky due to Heard doing a PSA on domestic violence when part of the divorce agreement mandated that she stay mum on the subject as well as the complex nature of Depp’s payout, which was to go solely to charities. And, can we add, we were impressed by Heard’s choice to forego the big payout and seek to do good out of something not-so-good.
Tobey Maguire & Jennifer Meyer
These two have not officially filed papers yet but they have announced their separation (and McGuire has been photographed out and about. And by out and about we mean kissing other women in public). After nine years of marriage and thirteen years together, Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Meyer told the world they were splitting. They have two children, Ruby, 9, and Otis, 7. The exes, who met in 2003 and were married four years later in Hawaii, issued this joint statement: “After much soul searching and consideration we have made the decision to separate as a couple. As devoted parents, our first priority remains raising our children together with enduring love, respect and friendship.” It’s an encouraging sign that so many Hollywood couples seem to be quite clear on their post-marriage goals regarding their children: protecting them and making sure their lives remain as stable, good, and happy as possible.
While Maguire and Meyer (trying saying that five times fast!) announced their separation last October, as of this writing, it does not appear that divorce documents have been filed. No news may be good news with this couple. Perhaps they are working it out? We surely hope so despite those pics of Maguire.
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie
Of course, for last, we saved the the biggest divorce case of the year (maybe the decade) in celebrity news. Here ya go …
In September 2016, Angelina Jolie shocked the world when she filed for divorce from her superstar hubby Brad Pitt, asking for full custody of their six children, Maddox, Zahara, Pax, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne.
The trouble began during the family’s international flight on September 14, 2016 which ended abruptly at Minnesota’s International Falls Airport (trouble likely didn’t begin there but that was the first public report of something amiss in the child rearing category in the Jolie-Pitt family). Reports suggested that a drunk Pitt lunged at 15-year-old Maddox on the flight. In November, Pitt was cleared of abuse allegations after the LA County Department of Children and Family Services investigated. But, while the investigation was pending, Pitt was not allowed to see his children. Once it was resolved, he was granted supervised visits.
Pitt has been on the offensive since that fateful flight, and on Dec. 21, 2016, asked a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to seal any future court documents pertaining to the exes’ kids and to keep any further custody disputes private. Jolie agreed. And, we are not surprised by that. Though the couple’s breakup opened up a media can of worms they are trying to put a lid back on things and keep their names out of celebrity news’ headlines. In fact, on January 6, 2017, they released a joint statement, in which they made known their intention to hire a private judge to handle the matter. The press release stated: ”The parties and their counsel have signed agreements to preserve the privacy rights of their children and family by keeping all court documents confidential and engaging a private judge to make any necessary legal decisions and to facilitate the expeditious resolution of any remaining issues.” The statement continued, “The parents are committed to act as a united front to effectuate recovery and reunification.”
Though we at PROOF would have liked to have access to legal documents in this matter so we can reduce the amount of gossip and untruths coming out about this family’s breakup, given the situation, the number of children, and the very high profile nature of the parties, we applaud this move by Pitt and Jolie. Nice to see adults acting like adults and in the best interest of their children.
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