Amber Heard's troubles seem far from over, particularly after her defamation trial against Johnny Depp.
Now, the Australian government is stepping into the spotlight, pursuing the actress over allegations tied to a notorious dog smuggling incident from 2015.
So, what exactly has the “Aquaman” star done, and what could the consequences be?
The controversy reignited when Barnaby Joyce, a former Prime Minister of Australia, reportedly filed an arrest warrant against Heard.
He claims she committed perjury during her court appearance related to the aforementioned scandal.
If convicted, the actress could face a staggering ten years behind bars or be hit with a hefty fine of $100,000.
In an interview with the Australian program “Dawn,” Joyce expressed his outrage, stating, “It now appears that Ms. Heard has not been telling the truth, which is perjury.”
He even drew a parallel between her situation and that of Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder who is wanted in the U.S. for leaking classified information.
Joyce quipped, “If they want Julian Assange, well, we'll take Amber and possibly Johnny,” suggesting that both could find themselves spending some time in an Australian prison.
The former Deputy Prime Minister went on to detail how Amber allegedly misled authorities when her dogs arrived in Australia.
He pointed out that there were numerous unsigned documents indicating no animals were present, implying that Heard may have lied through her teeth.
Joyce also emphasized the need for the U.S. to demonstrate fairness regarding both Assange and Heard's situations, insisting that the American government must show consistency in its legal actions.
Heard's legal troubles began to escalate last October when Australia's Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment announced it would investigate her for perjury.
Reports indicate that once witness statements are gathered, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions will assess whether the evidence warrants further action.
Speculation arose that the FBI was involved in the investigation, although this has yet to be confirmed.
Bobby Chacon, a retired FBI agent, noted that collaboration between the FBI and foreign agencies isn't unusual.
He explained that the FBI maintains a presence in Australia, which could facilitate cooperation if needed.
However, Heard's attorney has dismissed these claims, insisting that the Australian government's investigation is unfounded.
The roots of this controversy trace back to 2015 when Heard smuggled her two dogs, Pistol and Boo, into Australia while Depp was filming “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
Instead of adhering to the country's strict quarantine laws, she opted for a private flight, bypassing the necessary paperwork.
The plot thickened when a grooming salon posted a photo of the dogs, inadvertently alerting authorities.
Joyce's fury over the incident led him to issue an ultimatum: either Depp would return the dogs to California, or they would face euthanization.
With a mere 50 hours to act, Depp and Heard quickly arranged for the pets' return.
In the aftermath, Heard faced charges for smuggling and falsifying documents.
To quell the backlash, Depp and Heard recorded a cringe-worthy apology video directed at the Australian public, which drew widespread ridicule.
Many fans criticized Depp's demeanor, finding it insincere and awkward.
Ultimately, Heard faced a court hearing but was acquitted, with her lawyers claiming she was too jet-lagged to fully comprehend the proceedings.
However, the saga didn't end there.
Kevin Murphy, a former employee of Depp, testified in a London court in 2020 that Heard had pressured him to lie under oath about the dog smuggling incident.
Murphy expressed concerns about the potential legal fallout of their actions, but he alleged that Heard threatened his job, coercing him into signing a false declaration.
As the legal storm continues to swirl around Amber Heard, it raises questions about accountability and the lengths some might go to evade the law.
What will happen next in this unfolding drama?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Heard's past is catching up with her in ways she may not have anticipated.
