Johnny Depp has filed a defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard, claiming that she fabricated a narrative of domestic abuse in order to promote her career.

The Blast obtained court records documenting the $50 million lawsuit, which appears to focus on Heard’s op-ed in the Washington Post in which she characterizes herself as a survivor of sexual violence. The op-ed does not name Depp specifically, but implies that Depp was a domestic abuser, the lawyers wrote.

According to the report, the lawsuit states that Heard’s op-ed “depends on the central premise that Ms. Heard was a domestic abuse victim and that Mr. Depp perpetrated domestic violence against her.”

Conversely, the lawsuit claims that “Ms. Heard is not a victim of domestic abuse; she is a perpetrator;” though it is not known what Depp is accusing Heard of specifically.

“Mr. Depp never abused Ms. Heard. Her allegations against him were false when they were made in 2016. They were part of an elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity for Ms. Heard and advance her career,” the lawsuit states, according to People magazine.

As People reports, Heard filed a restraining order against Depp in 2017. Depp denied the claims, and Heard received a $7 million settlement when their divorce was finalized. The agreement reportedly prohibits either from speaking publicly about their relationship.

Heard donated her divorce settlement to the ACLU and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, according to The Cut. 

The lawsuit reportedly claims that the allegations damaged Depp’s career and his earnings.

Heard’s representative did not immediately respond to People’s request for comment.

[Feature image: KGC-42/STAR MAX/IPx 10 via AP]