‘Senseless and extreme’: Johnny Depp’s secret money struggles
Johnny Depp has had to call in the lawyers again. Photo: Getty
Johnny Depp’s former management company has alleged in court documents the star suffers from a “compulsive spending disorder” that sees him dropping millions of dollars a month.
In documents filed on Monday, The Mandel Company alleged the actor spends $US2 million ($A2.6 million) a month to maintain an “ultra-extravagant lifestyle” that he “simply cannot afford”.
Depp, 53, sued The Mandel Company for fraud in January, alleging “Gross misconduct” led him to lose millions of dollars and demanding $US25 million ($A33.2 million) in damages.
His managers of 17 years responded by filing a cross-complaint claiming Depp was responsible for any financial troubles despite the company doing “everything possible to protect [him] from his irresponsible and profligate spending”.
According to Variety, the suit details Depp’s spending, from more than $US75 million ($A99.6 million) on 14 properties, $US30,000 ($A39,000) a month on wine and $US300,000 ($A390,000) a month to employ a staff of 40.
The suit points to an April interview Depp did with The Wall Street Journal as evidence of his “clear and epic” sense of entitlement.
In the interview, Depp questioned why the company didn’t drop him as a client if he was “so out of control”, adding: “It’s my money. If I want to buy 15,000 cotton balls a day, it’s my thing.”
The suit described Depp’s words as “flagrant bragging about his senseless and extreme spending” which was “further evidence of his psychological issues”.
“In retrospect, it appears that Depp may suffer from a compulsive spending disorder, which will be proven in this action through a mental examination,” the company’s attorney Michael Kump wrote in the complaint.
A lawyer for Depp, whose net worth is estimated around $US400 million ($A531.5 million), decried The Mandel Company’s claims as “psychobabble”.
“This is how guilty people respond when confronted with the detailed results of a 9-month legal and forensic investigation conducted by 4 firms,” attorney Adam Waldman said.
This marks yet another legal battle in recent months for Depp, whose divorce from former wife Amber Heard was finalised in January this year.
In the settlement, Depp was able to retain his properties and more than 40 vehicles and vessels, but was made to pay $US7 million ($A9.3 million) to Heard, which she said she would in turn donate to charity.