Amber Heard faces perjury charges in Australia for dog trafficking

Amber Heard could face perjury charges for the 2016 Pistol and Boo debacle after details of the incident were discovered in her ex-husband Johnny Depp’s defamation case against The Sun.

The actress is currently under investigation by the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment after a former Depp employee claimed in court that he was forced to lie under oath about the illegal entry of his dogs into Queensland.

A department spokesperson told news.com.au on Wednesday: “The department is investigating whether any offenses have been committed under Commonwealth law in connection with testimony given to the High Court in London. Due to the nature of those offenses. inquiries, we cannot provide a timeline. “

The maximum sentence for perjury in Queensland is 14 years in prison.

According to Depp’s former property manager Kevin Murphy, Heard ordered her to lie to authorities after she knowingly brought her dogs into Australia.

In a witness statement provided to a London court earlier this year, he claimed that he was told multiple times that his miniature Yorkshire terriers were not allowed to enter the state.

However, Sasha Wass QC, representing The Sun, defended Heard and said, “She never asked you to lie.

“I suggest you are lying. You have represented this [issue of the dogs] in a deceptive manner in an attempt to discredit Miss Heard. “

Wass asked Murphy: “Has Ms. Heard ever asked you to make a false statement in Australian dog-related proceedings?”

Murphy replied, “That’s wrong.”

Heard was embroiled in one of the strangest political scandals in history four years ago after she joined her then husband on Queensland’s Gold Coast on a private jet, with dogs in tow, while he filmed Pirates of the Caribbean.

It was the same trip during which the couple had a brutal argument that ended with Depp’s finger being severed. Heard alleged that the actor “held her hostage” for three days, in a drug-fueled rage. Depp has denied ever being physically abusive.

The 34-year-old Aquaman star avoided conviction for the Pistol and Boo affair in April 2016, claiming he was unaware that the correct documentation had not been submitted prior to his arrival. Later, then-Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce forced her to film a biosecurity apology video alongside Depp. She was also slapped with a $ 1000 fine.

However, Murphy told London High Court in July that Heard knew she was breaking the law and had required her to make a “false witness statement.”

He said: “When I expressed that I was extremely uncomfortable with this, Ms. Heard said, ‘Well, I want your help on this … I don’t want you to have a problem with your work.’

Wass, QC, on behalf of the Sun, asked Murphy: “Are you now admitting that you committed perjury in Australia as a result of something your boss’s wife asked you to do?” Mr. Murphy replied, “That is correct.”

“Why the hell didn’t you go to Mr. Depp to ask him to intervene instead of just lying under oath?” asked the lawyer.

Murphy said, “Because Amber wielded so much power and would have made my life miserable.”

His account was endorsed by Heard’s former personal assistant, Kate James.

In a written statement, James said Heard ignored advice from her and Murphy about bringing the dogs to Australia.

It said Heard “deliberately smuggled the dogs into Australia. As in several circumstances that I observed, it was as if he felt he was above the law.”

Heard denied asking the employees to lie, and Wass claimed Johnny Depp was “equally involved” in the decision to bring the dogs to Australia.

Depp, 57, is suing News Group Newspapers for an article in 2018 that described him as a “wife beater.” During the trial, the Superior Court heard of 14 alleged incidents of domestic violence against Heard, which Depp denies.

Judge Nicol will give his ruling at a later date.