Big-spending Johnny Depp settles lawsuits that sought US$25 million from former managers

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.

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.