The Lawsuits Thread

[nebraska]

Not sure how to show this correctly:

http://deadline.com/2017/11/Johnny-depp ... 202202669/

Of course, it’s been done just when MOTOE is opening in the US. If anyone can glean anything positive from this, I would be ever so grateful to hear it. Depressing . . .

Maybe the bright note is that it will all be over in the foreseeable future. Please, let it end!

But yes, definitely this publicity is timed to hurt him.

[justintime]

Not sure how to show this correctly:

http://deadline.com/2017/11/Johnny-depp ... 202202669/

Of course, it’s been done just when MOTOE is opening in the US. If anyone can glean anything positive from this, I would be ever so grateful to hear it. Depressing . . .

Maybe the bright note is that it will all be over in the foreseeable future. Please, let it end!

But yes, definitely this publicity is timed to hurt him.

Thanks, nebraska. I guess all disasters, natural or contrived, wend their way through to a finale of sorts eventually. It’s the carnage left behind that never really ends or heals. I can’t help wondering if the totally slanderous description of Johnny at the London premiere didn’t get some strategic TMG(?) assistance finding a home in the Sun (the rag that initially pushed it out there with such vigor). All so well-timed; so insistent; far too much coincidence. Now this.

More than anything, though, I worry about Johnny. He has been a tower of strength and grace throughout, but it is truly his livelihood being crushed now. The unabating stress must be almost beyond endurance at this point.

[sleepy]

All of this has really damaged Johnny. Damaged him with the film community, with the media, and the general public perception of him. The fact that he has little to no interaction with the public, has no connection to social media, gives his detractors free reign. Like it or not, connecting with the public can make who you are, what you stand for, much more clear. I'm not talking about defending yourself, but just letting people see who you are. I have seen him go from a much admired actor to someone now perceived as an abuser and someone with so little business sense that he has been outed as someone who has frittered away his fortune. On a regular basis, we get updates on the details of all his personal financial problems. I can't understand how this has been drug out so long and the news just keeps getting worse. I'm just not sure, anymore, how this will end.

[shaman-art]

I wouldn't be surprised if TMG is using the foreclosure as leverage to force him into negotiations since throwing dirt is indeed damaging his reputation but hasn't got them anywhere in court so far. His legal team had to see this coming and I can not imagine them sitting around being totally unprepared while this is hoovering over his head. I really hope they have some aces up their sleeve.

[justintime]

How could Johnny possibly have anything to gain by being perceived, after all is said and done, as having been “forced” into negotiating with those swine? Think: divorce. Johnny and everyone, everything he holds dear has suffered/is suffering and will continue to do so until he comes as close to total vindication as may still be possible. Moreover, to whatever degree these results are realized, they must be shouted from the heavens for eons.

[AdeleAgain]

I felt much better after reading this - Johnny's lawyer has come back rigorously. I've copied it in full below (hope I've done this the right way apologies if not!) It is a good article.

https://etcanada.com/news/269374/Johnny ... ity-stunt/ …

Such a crass publicity stunt of course timed to coincide with MOTOE and so obviously a desperate bid to get a settlement.

I wonder however if Johnny is determined to make sure that if he does settle, it is in such a way that TMG's wrong doing is clear. If he had had his day in court with she-who-we-do=not-name, proper evidence (and lack of) would have been presented.

Johnny Depp Fights Back After Former Management Firm Tries To Foreclose On His Properties, Slams ‘Publicity Stunt’

Johnny Depp remains defiant after his former business managers filed a motion to foreclose on five of the actor’s Los Angeles properties in order to recoup a $5-million loan that the company, The Management Group, claims it extended to him back in 2012.

In the latest shots fired in the legal battle between the “Murder on the Orient Express” star and TMG, the actor’s former business managers filed a motion to place five of Depp’s L.A.-area properties into foreclosure in order to recoup the money allegedly lent.

Depp is suing TMG, alleging that the company fraudulently squandered millions of his earnings; TMG is countersuing Depp, claiming the firm did nothing wrong and blaming his current financial difficulties on extravagant spending that saw him typically shell out $2 million per month.

According to People, Depp’s attorney has come out swinging, blasting TMG’s foreclosure plan as a “publicity stunt.”

“Today’s improper foreclosure action is the latest of the Mandels’ efforts to intimidate Mr. Depp into dropping his lawsuit,” Depp’s attorney, Adam Waldman, tells People.

Asked whether TMG will actually gain possession of Depp’s properties, Waldman was incredulous. “Of course not, and they know it,” he said. “We will move for sanctions for this latest publicity stunt.”

According to TMG, the company took out the loan to prevent Depp from being forced into bankruptcy, with the five homes serving as collateral for the loan. Depp, TMG alleges, has stopped making payments, so the company is trying to force the properties into foreclosure so they can be sold and the debt paid back.

Depp’s attorneys, however, tell a far different story. According to Depp’s lawsuit against TMG, which he launched in February, Depp claims the company mismanaged $650 million of his earnings, alleging TMG is guilty of “professional negligence, breach of fiduciary duty as trustee, fraud in the inducement, fraudulent concealment, constructive fraud, negligent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, wrongful foreclosure, declaratory relief and accounting.”

According to Depp’s complaint, “As a result of years of gross mismanagement and sometimes outright fraud, Mr. Depp lost tens of millions of dollars and has been forced to dispose of significant assets to pay for TMG’s self-dealing and gross misconduct,” adding: “In essence, TMG treated Mr. Depp’s income as their own, available to either TMG or third parties to draw upon as desired.”

[justintime]

Thank you, Ade, that was much needed. I do feel a bit better . . .

I agree with you wholeheartedly re: the “must haves” in any possible settlement, but these are slimy, ruthless opponents who would agree to anything now, and then, one shot at a time, go on to cut Johnny down at the knees. I don’t believe the legalese exists that would keep those lying dirtbags from exacting revenge in ways we cannot even imagine - and get away with it.

If the federal probes are yielding fruit, if Johnny’s legal team can undermine the opposition in print more frequently, and if Johnny can somehow keep strong, perhaps after all is said and done the courtroom is the way to go.

[Judymac]

It is not a coincidence that every time Johnny has a movie coming out, TMG starts throwing out allegations. TMG is disgusting. I try not to read a lot of the stories that are coming out about him because it just makes me angry. All of the garbage tabloids take the same story and repeat it over and over as if repeating it will make it true.

[meeps]

Are houses so cheap in Los Angeles, that the TMG people needs five of them to get their money back? OK, they probably want interests too, and I don't know how much that will amount to. But I should think one or two houses should be enough - or what?

[Lbock]

Are houses so cheap in Los Angeles, that the TMG people needs five of them to get their money back? OK, they probably want interests too, and I don't know how much that will amount to. But I should think one or two houses should be enough - or what?

I'm pretty sure he already had other mortgages on those properties. So in general if those houses were to be foreclosed on and go to auction. The auction price would bring far less than the market value, so after paying off the taxes, first and second loans, etc. then the answer is yes, they probably would need to foreclosure on all 5 to recoup their loss of interest, principle, legal fees, auction fees, etc etc

[justintime]

Do we know if The Castle is one of the five properties targeted?

I guess the better question is: Do we know which five properties are at risk?

[Lbock]

Do we know if The Castle is one of the five properties targeted?

I guess the better question is: Do we know which five properties are at risk?

Here is the link to Johnny's lawsuit. Read at item 61. Seems all those homes have or had one or more loans against them. I don't know there current balances

[AdeleAgain]

I honestly think that his lawyer was speaking the truth when he said of course he isn't going to be repossessed - it's a publicity play by TMG and they know how much he hates publicity about his personal life so they always do these things when he has to be out in the public eye anyway. If you look at every single statement or response they've made, there is very little based on law and an awful lot of smoke and mirrors whereas Johnny's rep has always based his responses in fact and law. Much as I love seeing pictures of Johnny out and about I hope he is allowed to just keep his head down, working hard on FB2. There seems to be so much vitriol going around at they moment directed at Hollywood men, many of whom do not deserve it, I think his natural instinct of keeping low profile is the right one.

[Lbock]

I honestly think that his lawyer was speaking the truth when he said of course he isn't going to be repossessed - it's a publicity play by TMG and they know how much he hates publicity about his personal life so they always do these things when he has to be out in the public eye anyway. If you look at every single statement or response they've made, there is very little based on law and an awful lot of smoke and mirrors whereas Johnny's rep has always based his responses in fact and law. Much as I love seeing pictures of Johnny out and about I hope he is allowed to just keep his head down, working hard on FB2. There seems to be so much vitriol going around at they moment directed at Hollywood men, many of whom do not deserve it, I think his natural instinct of keeping low profile is the right one.

I agree. Glad he is working. Also, TMG pattern is to make a media splash when they know he is making a public appearance or movie coming out. I hope they do incur sanctions for this ploy

[sleepy]

It's kind of scary to be a male in Hollywood, right now.