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A jury that discovered Amber Heard responsible of defaming ex-husband Johnny Depp has ordered her to pay $15 million in damages, posing monetary dangers for the 36-year-old actress, in line with consultants.
Though Heard’s wealth is unclear, she has earned hundreds of thousands for her work in TV and movies equivalent to “Aquaman” and “Aquaman 2.” She beforehand obtained a $7 million settlement from Depp after their 2016 divorce, which she pledged to donate to charities together with the American Civil Liberties Union. Through the trial she stated she hadn’t but fulfilled the pledge due to Depp’s lawsuit.
However testimony through the trial prompt that Heard’s profession had stalled because of the authorized battle with Depp, in accordance to Newsweek. That will elevate questions on whether or not Heard’s pockets are deep sufficient to cowl the damages, which included $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, though the latter was decreased to Virginia’s cap of $350,000 on such awards.
Whereas Heard may enchantment the decision, she must put up a bond for the total $10.35 million judgment, plus curiosity, because the enchantment proceeds, in line with lawyer Sandra Spurgeon of Spurgeon Regulation Group in Lexington, Kentucky.
“For a person who would not have the flexibility to pay the judgment and no potential to put up the bond, then there’s a actual problem if the successful social gathering intends to execute the judgment,” Spurgeon advised CBS MoneyWatch.
By comparability, the jury awarded Heard $2 million within the lawsuit. Depp, 58, earned as a lot as $650 million over one 13-year interval, in line with the Hollywood Reporter. Even so, a former supervisor and agent testified through the trial that his spending — equivalent to $300,000 a month on full-time workers — had eroded his wealth over time.
Heard did not tackle the monetary phrases of the decision in an announcement she revealed on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon through which she expressed “disappointment” on the jury’s determination. Listed below are Heard’s choices following the extremely publicized verdict:
Enchantment the judgment
As famous above, Heard may enchantment the decision in hopes of getting a extra favorable judgment and decreasing the cost. However within the meantime, she must put up a bond for the total $10.35 million in damages, which can or is probably not possible, Spurgeon stated.
Not sufficient cash? Wages might be garnished
If Heard decides in opposition to an enchantment however would not come up with the money for to pay the judgment, she may find yourself together with her present and future wages garnished, in line with authorized consultants.
“The query is that if she says, ‘Look, I haven’t got it. It isn’t there — you’ll be able to look in my financial institution accounts,’ then we are able to discuss issues like garnishing her wages,” stated CBS Information authorized contributor Jessica Levinson.
She added, “That is not an uncommon scenario the place anyone says, ‘I haven’t got — I am unable to fulfill this,’ and so I definitely assume as a result of she has incomes potential” a part of her wages might be garnished in consequence.
File for chapter
Heard additionally has the choice of submitting for chapter, which might remove the $10 million in compensatory damages, Spurgeon stated. However she’d nonetheless be on the hook for the $350,000 in punitive damages, which usually cannot be discharged in a chapter.
Depp may resolve to waive the judgment
Depp may additionally resolve to not execute the judgment, in impact waiving the financial damages, Spurgeon stated.
“He is within the driver’s seat proper now,” she stated, noting that Depp additionally may negotiate with Heard for a decrease greenback determine.
In his Instagram remark after the decision, Depp did not point out whether or not he intends to pursue the financial judgment in opposition to Heard. He wrote that the “aim of bringing this case was to disclose the reality, whatever the final result.”
He added, “I really feel at peace realizing I’ve lastly achieved that.”
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