Hollywood icon Johnny’s Depp’s longtime business management agency, the Mandel Company, has fired back at the star following a $25 million suit he filed January 19 alleging fraud and mismanagement.
Mandel calls the accusation “absurd and false” in a 31-page complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on January 31.
The counterclaim cites breach of oral contract, breach of written contract and promissory fraud, and requests a jury trial. It outlines in detail what Mandel proprietors, brother Joel and Robert, say is a 17-year relationship with the actor and their efforts to do “everything withing their power to professionally and competently handle the vast array of transactions, expenses and demands made by Depp….”
The complaint notes that the company “repeatedly warned and advised Depp to reduce his spending and sell unnecessary assets” but that “Depp listened to no one… [and] demanded they fund a lifestyle that was extravagant and extreme.” However, Mandel claims, “When Depp’s spending outpaced his earnings, and he refused to change his lifestyle, he was forced to borrow large sums of money to continue living the lifestyle he chose.”
Mandel notes in the lawsuit that it has a 30-year “unblemished” record and has never before been sued by a client.
David Shane, a spokesman for Mandel, declined to comment. Attorneys for Depp had not responded to a request for comment by publication time.
The complaint cites Depp’s many monthly expenses, as well as his spending on assets such as: $75 million on 14 residences around the world; $18 million on a 150-foot luxury yacht; and $3 million for a canon used to fire out the ashes of the late writer Hunter S. Thompson.
With regards to art, the claim alludes to Depp’s eclectic taste:
Depp also spent wildly on expensive collectibles, including millions to acquire and maintain a massive and extremely expensive art collection including over 200 collectible pieces and works by world famous artists such as Warhol, Klimt, Basquiat, and Modigliani; many pieces of expensive world class jewelry; and approximately 70 collectible guitars. Depp also spent many millions more over the years on extremely rare and expensive Hollywood collectibles. Depp’s collection of Hollywood memorabilia involving such icons as Marilyn Monroe, John Dillinger and Marlon Brando is so extensive that it fills approximately 12 storage facilities and has cost over a million additional dollars to attempt to archive.
Wall mural by Brazilian street artists OSGEMEOS. Courtesy of Partners Trust.
This past September, Depp put one of his Los Angeles homes on the market for $12.8 million. Images revealed works from his extensive art collection, including a large mural by the Brazilian artist duo OSGEMEOS. The 24-foot-high artwork, which Depp specifically commissioned for the space, was set to leave with him when he moved, real estate agent Kevin Dees of Partners Trust told artnet News.
Depp also sold a group of nine Jean-Michel Basquiat paintings at Christie’s London this past June for £8.7 million ($13.7 million).