A former employee of TMZ triggered gasps and giggles in the courtroom on Wednesday, when he hit back at Amber Heard attorney Elaine Bredehoft for accusing him of seeking his “15 minutes of fame” by testifying.
Heard’s ex-husband Johnny Depp is suing her for $50 million over an op-ed she penned about domestic violence at The Washington Post. The “Aquaman” actress has countersued for $100 million.
“I’d say the same thing about taking Amber Heard as a client, for you,” Morgan Tremaine shot back at Bredehoft.
Tremaine was working for TMZ when he received an anonymous tip online that included video of Depp slamming cabinets. Despite efforts from TMZ to keep Tremaine off the stand, the former employee was still called to testify in the case.
His testimony implied that Heard or someone on her team were the ones who sent over the video, saying that TMZ was able to receive the tip, receive copyright ownership, and publish the video within about 15 minutes.
Tremaine testified this can only be done when you’re working with someone who has copyright ownership of the content in question. Otherwise, the process takes much longer.
“You know this case is being televised, right?” Bredehoft asked the journalist.
“I’m aware that there are cameras,” he responded.
“So, this gets you your 15 minutes of fame?” the attorney accused Tremaine.
“I stand to gain nothing from this,” he replied. “I’m actually putting myself kind of in the target of TMZ, a very litigious organization. And I’m not seeking any 15 minutes here, though you’re welcome to speculate.”
“I’d say the same thing about taking Amber Heard as a client, for you,” Tremaine added, causing the courtroom to erupt with reaction.
Notably, Depp attorney Camille Vasquez was unable to conceal her laughter.
“A little argumentative, don’t you think?” an irritated Bredehoft responded.
“Oh hardly!” Tremaine said. “I find that to be purely logical thinking.”
WATCH:
#AmberHeard's attorney Elaine Bredehoft alleged that a former #TMZ employee is trying to get his 15 minutes of fame by testifying.
"I could say the same thing by taking Amber Heard as a client, for you," he said. @LawCrimeNetwork pic.twitter.com/0brhqHzRBO
— Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) May 25, 2022
Earlier in the trial, Vasquez grilled Heard over past deposition video of the actress talking about a video leak to TMZ.
Vasquez told a flustered Heard that the deposition included a confession from the actress about leaking the video, or possibly selling the footage to the TMZ.
“You slipped up there, didn’t you, Ms. Heard?” Vasquez grilled Heard on the stand, after playing footage of Heard talking about the leak.
“You let it slip out that TMZ had been alerted to your filing of the domestic violence restraining order, didn’t you?” the attorney continued.
“I disagree,” Heard responded. “That’s not what I’m talking about. … I never got paid for it because I had nothing to do with that.”
Below is more footage of Tremaine testifying about receiving the infamous video of Depp:
Morgan Tremaine, a former #TMZ employee called by #JohnnyDepp's team, explained how he received the video of Depp slamming kitchen cabinets. @LawCrimeNetwork pic.twitter.com/yHOR8J4K4y
— Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) May 25, 2022
Related: ‘You Slipped Up There, Didn’t You, Ms. Heard?’: Depp Team Shows Video Of Heard Talking TMZ Leak