This was never about money: Depp might waive Heard's monetary damages

In recent development regarding Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's defamation suit and the latter's appeal, the Pirates star's attorney Benjamin Chew suggested that Heard may not have to pay the money, after all, reported The Independent. 

Talking to Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos, whether Depp would agree to a settlement where Heard agrees not to appeal the case in return for "Depp waiving any monetary damages," Chew hinted it was on the table.

"We obviously can't disclose any attorney-client communications, but as Mr Depp testified and as we both made clear in our respective closings, this was never about money for Mr Depp," Chew said. "This was about restoring his reputation and he's done that."

A jury in the United States last week found the Aquaman actor liable for defaming her ex-husband and the judge ordered she pay him $10.35 million (roughly €10 million) in damages. The jury had recommended $15 million.

The jury also found in favor of Heard in some aspects of her counter-suit against Depp, specifically that he defamed her, through his attorney, and awarded her $2 million. Depp and Heard may agree to a settlement before then, in which case Judge Azcarate may sign off on it rather than issue the jury verdict against both Heard and Depp.

The settlement agreement could include waiving the damages so long as Heard doesn't appeal any part of the case. The parties might also agree to remove some of the defamation claims from the verdict, or reduce or eliminate the damages they owe each other. 

"The jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled," Depp previously said in a statement. In a detailed post, shared on his social media, the Pirates star penned, "Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed. All in the blink of an eye."

He went on to add, "False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already traveled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career. And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled."

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.