Johnny Depp’s Lawyer Says Amber Heard Is Claiming Abuse to Score ‘Premature’ Payday

Wife of “Pirates of the Caribbean” star is seeking $50,000 a month in spousal support

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Johnny Depp isn’t taking the domestic violations leveled at him lying down.

In legal papers filed with the court, Depp’s attorney says that the actor’s wife, Amber Heard, who obtained a domestic violence restraining order on Friday, is claiming abuse in order to line up a quick payday.

“Amber is attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse,” a memorandum of points and authorities filed by Depp’s lawyer, Laura Wasser, reads.

The memo also suggests that Heard’s request for a restraining order could be a reaction to the negative press she’s received for filing divorce papers just days after the death of Depp’s mother.

“Her current application for a temporary restraining order along with her financial requests appears to be in response to the negative media attention she received earlier this week after filing for divorce,” the memo reads. “Amber filed her Petition three days after the death of Johnny’s mother. There has been significant commentary in the media as to this timing given that Johnny was very close to his mother. Yet Johnny cannot protect himself or Amber from media scrutiny, and Amber’s anger certainly cannot drive this dissolution proceeding.”

Heard filed for divorce on May 23, citing irreconcilable differences. She indicated that she’s seeking spousal support. According to media reports, Depp filed a response asking that the request for spousal support be denied.

In a declaration filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Heard said that she’s requesting $50,000 a month in pendente lite spousal support — that is, support between separation and the finalization of the divorce.

But Depp’s memo says that the two parties haven’t even had a chance to informally exchange information, and the court “therefore has no financial information upon which to make the financial orders requested at this time.”

The memo also states that Heard “is a successful model and actress who earns her own income and is capable of supporting herself. Although Amber is entitled to seek support, fees and property orders, Johnny is likewise entitled to reasonable time to prepare his response.”

Heard filed for her restraining order on Friday. The actress, who wed Depp in February 2015, said that Depp has been verbally and physically abusive to her during “the entirety of our relationship,” and she cited a number of specific alleged incidents. Notably, Heard claims that Depp showed up at their Los Angeles residence “inebriated and high” on the night of May 21 and flew into a rage, throwing a cell phone at her and striking her cheek and eye. She also claimed that Depp smashed “everything he could” with a wine bottle he had been drinking from.

Depp has declined to discuss the divorce. In a statement issued Thursday, his spokesperson said, “Given the brevity of this marriage and the most recent and tragic loss of his mother, Johnny will not respond to any of the salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies about his personal life. Hopefully the dissolution of this short marriage will be resolved quickly.”

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

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