Johnny Depp on brink of ruin thanks to ‘wanton’ spending of US$2m per month, lawsuit claims

Johnny Depp’s lavish spending - including US$3 million to blast author Hunter S. Thompson’s ashes from a cannon - led him to the brink of financial ruin, according to an explosive lawsuit filed Tuesday.

Over the best part of two decades, the 53-year-old actor has been spending US$2 million a month, according to The Management Group (TMG), which is suing the star in Los Angeles for an unpaid loan.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor is alleged to have forked out US$75 million on 14 homes, including a French castle on 18 hectares, a chain of Bahamian islands, several Hollywood homes, penthouse lofts in downtown Los Angeles and a horse farm in Kentucky.

Since 2000, the Oscar-nominated actor has also spent US$18 million on a yacht, bought 45 luxury cars and shelled out almost US$700,000 a month on wine, private planes and a staff of 40 people, according to the lawsuit.

Beverly Hills-based TMG says Depp has accrued more than 200 artworks by Andy Warhol, Gustav Klimt and other masters, 70 collectible guitars and a Hollywood memorabilia collection so extensive it is stored in 12 locations.

Depp filed his own US$25 million suit on January 13 accusing TMG of mismanaging his finances, taking out loans without his approval, and concealing his ruinous finances.