Johnny Depp Denies Punching Crew Member But Argues Injuries Are Due to ‘Self-Defense’
A location manager said in July that Depp punched him twice on set of “City of Lies”
Beatrice Verhoeven | August 20, 2018 @ 8:43 AM
Last Updated: August 20, 2018 @ 2:30 PM
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Johnny Depp has claimed that the film crew member who has accused the star of punching him on the set of “City of Lies” sustained his injuries due to “self defense/defense of others.”
In a legal documents obtained by TheWrap, Depp’s attorneys do not admit that the actor or his co-defendants struck location manager Gregg “Rocky” Brooks but argue that Brooks himself “provoked” the actions that resulted in his own injuries.
“The acts complained of by Plaintiff were provoked by Plaintiff’s unlawful and wrongful conduct in that Plaintiff willfully and maliciously acted out and conducted his activities in such a manner as to cause, Defendant Depp to fear for his safety, and according to Defendant Depp’s observations, Defendant Brad Furman for his safety,” read the legal filing.
Moreover, the documents read, “the Complaint and each of its causes of action are barred, or recovery reduced, by Plaintiff’s own carelessness, recklessness and/or negligence.”
Brooks, who said he was working as a location manager on the film, filed a suit in July that claimed things got ugly during a shoot at the Barclay Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
According to the suit, permits for the shoot initially allowed for exterior shooting at the hotel until 7 p.m. and inside the hotel until 10 p.m. An extension was granted, and at 10:50 p.m. they were asked to make the current shot the last exterior shot of the night. Brooks said that he was told to instruct Depp of the request, but wanted an on-set LAPD officer to assist him in doing so because he knew Depp “may become upset.”
Before he could enlist the officer’s help, however, Brooks’ suit said that Depp accosted Plaintiff and began attacking him, angrily screaming in his face ‘WHO THE F— ARE YOU? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO!'”
According to the complaint, Depp also “angrily and forcefully punched Plaintiff twice in the lower left side of his rib cage and causing pain.”
When Brooks maintained his composure, the suit said, Depp yelled that he would give Brooks $100,000 to punch him in the face. According to the suit, Brooks still didn’t react, and Depp’s bodyguards physically removed the actor from the scene.
In the legal filing answering Brooks’ lawsuit, Depp contended that Brooks’ own actions caused the damages claimed in the initial complaint and that he didn’t take the necessary steps to mitigate the damages he “proximately caused to himself.” Depp, therefore, asked for a judgment in his favor and that the costs of the suit and attorney fees and further relief be returned to him.
In a statement to TheWrap, Depp’s lawyer Adam Waldman said, “Despite false media reports suggesting otherwise, Johnny Depp never touched the person suing him, as over a dozen witnesses present will attest. In a court filing we have generally denied all claims and we will fight these latest sham allegations.”
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.
For the record: A previous version of this story incorrectly suggested that Johnny Depp’s legal team had admitted that the star had hit Brooks.
Johnny Depp's Year-Plus of Despair: From Divorce to Dog Drama to His 'Bad Joke' (Photos)
As a widely admired, reasonably well-paid movie star, Johnny Depp would seem to have a charmed life. But fear not, dear reader; he has problems, just like you. The past year or so has seen Depp endure his share of difficulties, including an embarrassing apology video spurred by a doggie snafu, a messy, public divorce and, most recently an industrial-grade backlash over an assassination joke he made about Donald Trump. Read on for a timeline of his recent troubles.
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On Jan. 13, the same day that Depp finalized his divorce from Heard, Depp jumped into another legal entanglement, this time of his own making. Depp sued his former managers for $25 million, accusing them of "gross misconduct" while handling his financial affairs.
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Shortly thereafter, Depp's former managers filed a countersuit, claiming that Depp lived "an ultra-extravagant lifestyle" that he "simply could not afford." Among the alleged extravagances: Spending $30,000 a month on "expensive wine that [Depp] had flown to him around the world for his personal consumption.”
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Depp's latest headache came in June, following his appearance at the 2017 Glastonbury Festival. While introducing his new film "The Libertine," the actor took digs at President Donald Trump and joked, “When was the last time an actor assassinated a president?”
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Perhaps predictably (just ask Kathy Griffin), that didn't go over so well with many people, including the folks in the White House. A White House official issued a statement reading, “President Trump has condemned violence in all forms and it’s sad that others like Johnny Depp have not followed his lead. I hope that some of Mr. Depp’s colleagues will speak out against this type of rhetoric as strongly as they would if his comments were directed to a Democrat elected official.”
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The backlash prompted an apology from Depp, who issued an apology on Friday stating, “I apologize for the bad joke I attempted last night in poor taste about President Trump. It did not come out as intended, and I intended no malice. I was only trying to amuse, not to harm anyone.”
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From an awkward apology video to an ill-considered assassination joke
As a widely admired, reasonably well-paid movie star, Johnny Depp would seem to have a charmed life. But fear not, dear reader; he has problems, just like you. The past year or so has seen Depp endure his share of difficulties, including an embarrassing apology video spurred by a doggie snafu, a messy, public divorce and, most recently an industrial-grade backlash over an assassination joke he made about Donald Trump. Read on for a timeline of his recent troubles.