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US actor Johnny Depp performs with The Hollywood Vampires band as part of the Hellfest metal music festival in Clisson, western France on June 22. Photo: Agence France-Presse
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Big-spending Johnny Depp settles lawsuits that sought US$25 million from former managers

The litigation exposed Depp’s lavish lifestyle, which was costing him more than US$2 million a month

Fame and celebrity
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Associated Press
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Johnny Depp has settled lawsuits with his former business managers that put a spotlight on the actor’s lavish lifestyle.

Depp’s representatives said on Monday that the Pirates of the Caribbean star had settled litigation filed against The Management Group, which he accused in January 2017, seeking more than US$25 million over alleged financial abuse and negligence. No details of the settlement were released.

Depp had accused the firm of filing his taxes late, costing him US$7.5 million in penalties. The firm denied filing the returns late, and said Depp’s taxes were paid when the star had money available to pay them.

The firm also countersued and argued that Depp was solely to blame for his money troubles, spending more than US$2 million a month. That lawsuit said Depp paid more than US$75 million to buy and maintain 14 homes, including a French chateau and a chain of islands in the Bahamas, as well as a 45-metre yacht, private jet travel and an expensive art collection.
In this file photo taken on May 18, 2017, US actor Johnny Depp attends the premiere of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Photo: Agence France-Presse

The cases had sparked name-calling on both sides, with a spokesman for Depp’s former managers calling the actor a “habitual liar” in August 2017.

Lawyers for The Management Group declined to comment Monday.

A statement released by a Depp spokesperson said that settling the case, which had been scheduled to begin trial next month, would allow him to focus on touring with his band, Hollywood Vampires, and promoting the latest film based on J.K. Rowling’s books, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

The film is scheduled to be released later in November.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Johnny Depp settles lawsuits against former managers
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