Johnny appeals the $2 million verdict: “I don’t deserve to pay Amber”
Johnny filed an appeal to overturn Amber’s $2 million verdict, claiming he was not responsible for the defamatory statements made by his lawyer. The legal battle between the former couple continues to attract the attention of the media and the public. Here’s an in-depth look at the incident, how it unfolded, and Johnny’s appeal.
Johnny files an appeal to overturn the $2 million verdict
On November 2, Johnny filed an appeal with the Virginia Court of Appeals, asking to cancel the $2 million he was ordered to pay Amber. In June, the jury and judge ruled in Johnny’s favor, concluding that he had won his ex-wife’s defamation case. However, even though he won, Johnny still had to pay Amber $2 million in damages given by his lawyer, Adam Waldman, in a 2020 interview with The Daily Mail.
Waldman has claimed that Amber’s allegations of domestic violence were fabricated and that she staged evidence to appear as the victim. He accused Amber of staging a fake crime scene and then calling the police. Waldman further alleges that her actions were guided by detailed advice from her legal and PR teams.
Johnny’s argument: Not responsible for attorney’s comments
Johnny’s legal team argued that the actor was not liable for the $2 million judgment because he was not the one who directly made the defamatory comments. In his appeal, Johnny affirmed that he was not responsible for the lawyer’s testimony and did not have to bear the financial consequences. His attorneys also asserted that Amber failed to prove that Waldman’s statements were made in bad faith or intended to harm her.
Where did the war begin?
The conflict between Johnny and Amber stems from an op-ed Amber wrote for The Washington Post in 2018. In the article published two years after their divorce, Amber described herself as a survivor of domestic violence. Although she did not mention Johnny by name, the article led to widespread speculation and had significant consequences for Johnny’s career. Much of Hollywood has blacklisted the Pirates of the Caribbean star, leading to the loss of several major projects.
In response, Johnny filed a $50 million lawsuit against Amber, claiming that her allegations were false and had caused irreparable harm to his career. It is said that Johnny was sued for 100 million USD, accusing Johnny of defamation.
June 2022 ruling: A mixed result
In early June 2022, the court ruled that Amber was liable for defamation and ordered her to pay Johnny $10.35 million in damages. However, the jury also awarded Amber $2 million in her countersuit, based on Waldman’s defamatory comments published by The Daily Mail. Despite the mixed verdict, Johnny emerged as the more successful side in the trial.
Disputes and legal complaints are ongoing
Both sides continued to file appeals, prolonging the legal saga. Amber’s group also appealed the verdict, arguing that the court was influenced by public opinion, not the law. A spokesperson for Amber told Yahoo that they are confident the appeals court will properly apply the law and overturn the ruling against her, emphasizing the importance of upholding fundamental principles of free speech.
The legal battle between Johnny and Amber is far from over as both sides continue to challenge the court’s decisions. Johnny’s appeal to overturn the $2 million verdict raises important questions about accountability for attorney statements and whether clients are liable for comments made appear on their behalf or not. As the case unfolds, it will continue to attract public attention, with the outcome potentially setting a new precedent in defamation law.
