Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s relationship remains contentious even after last month’s high-priced divorce settlement.
Heard’s legal team is fuming that the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star sent checks directly to the two charities his estranged wife pledged to donate all $7 million from their settlement to – as doing so allows him to collect a considerable tax deduction.
“If Johnny wishes to change the settlement agreement, we must insist that he honor the full amount by donating $14M to charity, which after accounting for his tax deduction, is equal to his $7M payment obligation to Amber,” a member of Heard’s team told the Daily News.
“We would also insist that the full amount be paid immediately and not drawn out over many years,” the spokesperson continued.
Depp reportedly deposited his donations to the American Civil Liberties Union and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles on Wednesday in what were intended to be the first of multiple payments.
Heard vowed last week to donate the entirety of their financial resolution to the two foundations shortly after they reached an end to their bitter, drawn-out legal battle, but apparently this isn’t what she had in mind.
“Anything less would be a transparent attempt by Johnny’s counsel, Laura Wasser and Patti Glaser, to reduce their client’s true payment by half under the guise of newfound concern for charities that he has never previously supported,” Heard’s team added, referring to Depp’s attorneys.
Depp’s team, meanwhile, praised Heard earlier in the day for deciding to donate all of the money to charity.
Heard’s intended donation to the ACLU is meant to be sent with a “particular focus on helping defend battered women,” according to a statement released by her camp last week.
Likewise, the actress has volunteered at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for the past decade.
Heard, 30, claimed in May that Depp physically and emotionally abused her during the entirety of their relationship, alleging he threw a cell phone at her face during an incident on May 21.
The former couple released a carefully worded joint statement last week after the conflict was finally resolved in court.
“There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm,” the couple’s statement said.
