With “nothing to lose,” Amber Heard is in the process of writing a tell-all book following her defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp.
Heard is reportedly looking to boost her income after a Fairfax, Virginia, jury found the Aquaman actress had defamed Depp and ordered her to pay the actor damages amounting to $15 million.
A source close to Heard told OK! magazine that Heard is “broke” and desires “revenge” in telling her story after predominantly negative coverage throughout the trial.
“Amber considers her career in Hollywood over. She’s already in talks and is excited about it,” said the source. “At this point, she has nothing to lose and wants to tell all.”
Divorce lawyer and legal author Dror Bikel noted the risk a tell-all book could bring.
“Depp and his attorneys will be reading and listening to everything that Heard states,” Bikel said. “If she crosses the line, which is likely, there is no question that will be hit with another defamation suit and end up right back in court.”
Last week, Heard said she was scared she could be sued again by Depp.
“I’m scared that no matter what I do, no matter what I say or how I say it, every step that I take will present another opportunity for this sort of silencing, which is what I guess the defamation lawsuit is meant to do. It’s meant to take your voice,” Heard told Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie.
While Heard has said she plans to appeal, legal experts have weighed in on how Heard might pay the damages she owes in light of testimony during the trial that placed a spotlight on her financial difficulties.
“I don’t think she can pay. She kept the $7 million because she had to pay for legal fees,” former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani said, noting that Heard has 30 years to pay Depp according to Virginia law. “The question is whether Johnny Depp is really going to enforce the judgment against his ex-wife. Is he really going to take her wages? She may have to raise her bank accounts in order to do so.”
The jury awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. However, because the trial took place in Virginia, the punitive damages Heard must pay are reduced to a maximum of $350,000. -Washington Examiner
