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Johnny Depp Sued for Allegedly Punching 'City of Lies' Location Manager

By Lisa M. Schaffer, Esq. on July 11, 2018 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

As if Johnny Depp's legal problems couldn't get any crazier. The Mad Hatter has been at it again. This time, a former set location manager, Gregg "Rocky" Brooks, has filed a suit against him and others in his production company for an incident that happened outside of the Barclay Hotel in Los Angeles. They were on location filming "City of Lies," a story about the investigation into the death of rap stars Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. The suit alleges assault and battery, negligence, wrongful termination, and other counts.

Altercation Between Depp and Location Manager

Permits allowed for the crew to be outside of the Barclay Hotel until 7 p.m., and inside until 10 p.m. Depp wanted to film longer, and asked Brooks to get a permit extension. Brooks was able to get two extensions, but by 11 p.m., was told by permit officials that it was time to wrap up and get everyone off the set. No one wanted to face Depp with the bad news, so Brooks said he would, but only if accompanied by set security.

However, before security arrived, Depp confronted Brooks, screamed expletives about who the location manager thought he was, punched Brooks twice in the ribs, and then topped it all off by yelling, "I'll give you $100,000 to punch me in the face right now." Brooks didn't punch him, but instead he got fired. Yes, you read that correctly. Brooks said he was fired from the production three days later, after refusing to sign a release waiving his right to sue over the incident.

This is just the latest in a string of legal incidents involving the former "21 Jump Street" star. Others include:

  • Depp's bodyguard's suing him in May 2018 for failing to pay overtime, as well as claims they were asked to perform duties outside of the scope and course of their work, including driving cars with illegal substances and open containers with minors in the car.
  • In 2017, Depp sued his former attorneys for misconduct, claiming $32 million in lost residuals earned from films
  • In that same year, Depp sued his former business managers, The Management Group (TMG), for misconduct he claims cost him approximately $50 million.
  • In 2016, Depp's ex-wife, Amber Heard, accused Depp of domestic abuse around the time of their separation.
  • Also in 2016, Depp and Heard smuggled dogs illegally into Australia.

Evidently Johnny Depp has the same view for laws as Captain Jack Sparrow. Perhaps the courts will get to the bottom of these suits before another is added to the growing list. If you feel your employer has fired you for unfair reasons, contact a local employment lawyer to see if you too have a case.

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