A celebrity real estate battle turns ugly as pop star Katy Perry pursues a multi-million dollar lawsuit against an 85-year-old veteran with a degenerative disease, sparking public outcry and a call for new legislation.
The legal saga surrounding Katy Perry’s $15 million Montecito mansion has reached a new fever pitch, with the family of 85-year-old veteran Carl Westcott accusing the pop star of being a "giant spoiled brat."
The dispute, which has been ongoing since 2020, has now entered a new phase with Perry seeking millions in damages from the veteran, who is described as "dying" and "bedridden."
The Initial Dispute
In July 2020, Perry and her fiancé, Orlando Bloom, entered into an agreement to purchase the luxury Montecito home from Westcott, a successful entrepreneur and veteran of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division.
Just days after the contract was signed, Westcott attempted to rescind the deal, claiming he was not of sound mind due to a recent back surgery and the heavy pain medication he was taking.
His lawyers argued that the combination of his age, frailty, and medication rendered him incompetent to make such a significant decision.
However, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled in Perry's favor in November 2023, finding that Westcott had not provided sufficient evidence of his mental incapacity at the time of the sale.
The judge's decision gave Perry the legal right to the property, and the deed was officially recorded in her name in May 2024.
The Damages Phase and Public Backlash
Despite winning ownership of the home, the "Dark Horse" singer has now escalated the legal battle by filing a countersuit for damages.
Perry is seeking up to $6 million from Westcott, citing "lost rental value," deferred maintenance, and repairs.
This move has been met with fierce public backlash, with Westcott's family and supporters calling her actions "unforgivable" and "entitled celebrity behavior."
Westcott's son, Chart Westcott, has publicly slammed Perry and Bloom for their "zero empathy" and "greed," questioning why a multi-millionaire would relentlessly pursue a lawsuit against a man who is now bedridden and suffers from Huntington's disease, a degenerative neurological disorder.
He stated that the case is no longer just about the property, but about whether celebrities "play by the same rules as the rest of us."
The "Katy PERRY Act"
In response to the contentious legal battle, Westcott's family and supporters have begun pushing for new legislation.
They have proposed the "Protecting Elder Realty for Retirement Years Act," or the "Katy PERRY Act," which would establish a 72-hour "cool-down" period for real estate contracts involving a party over the age of 75.
This period would allow either party to rescind the agreement without penalty, giving vulnerable homeowners time to reconsider their decision without pressure.
Perry's legal troubles with elderly property owners are not new. She was previously involved in a high-profile dispute with a group of elderly nuns over the sale of a former convent in Los Angeles.
The legal fight, which lasted for years, resulted in a jury ruling in favor of Perry and ordering the nuns to pay her company millions in legal fees.
With the damages phase of the trial now underway, Perry is scheduled to testify in person. The case has become a flashpoint for a broader debate about celebrity privilege, wealth, and the ethical responsibilities of individuals in high-value property deals.
Do you believe a celebrity's wealth and status should factor into how they handle legal disputes, or should the law be applied without bias?
For more on this developing story and other trending news, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
The legal saga surrounding Katy Perry’s $15 million Montecito mansion has reached a new fever pitch, with the family of 85-year-old veteran Carl Westcott accusing the pop star of being a "giant spoiled brat."
The dispute, which has been ongoing since 2020, has now entered a new phase with Perry seeking millions in damages from the veteran, who is described as "dying" and "bedridden."
The Initial Dispute
In July 2020, Perry and her fiancé, Orlando Bloom, entered into an agreement to purchase the luxury Montecito home from Westcott, a successful entrepreneur and veteran of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division.
Just days after the contract was signed, Westcott attempted to rescind the deal, claiming he was not of sound mind due to a recent back surgery and the heavy pain medication he was taking.
His lawyers argued that the combination of his age, frailty, and medication rendered him incompetent to make such a significant decision.
However, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled in Perry's favor in November 2023, finding that Westcott had not provided sufficient evidence of his mental incapacity at the time of the sale.
The judge's decision gave Perry the legal right to the property, and the deed was officially recorded in her name in May 2024.
The Damages Phase and Public Backlash
Despite winning ownership of the home, the "Dark Horse" singer has now escalated the legal battle by filing a countersuit for damages.
Perry is seeking up to $6 million from Westcott, citing "lost rental value," deferred maintenance, and repairs.
This move has been met with fierce public backlash, with Westcott's family and supporters calling her actions "unforgivable" and "entitled celebrity behavior."
Westcott's son, Chart Westcott, has publicly slammed Perry and Bloom for their "zero empathy" and "greed," questioning why a multi-millionaire would relentlessly pursue a lawsuit against a man who is now bedridden and suffers from Huntington's disease, a degenerative neurological disorder.
He stated that the case is no longer just about the property, but about whether celebrities "play by the same rules as the rest of us."
The "Katy PERRY Act"
In response to the contentious legal battle, Westcott's family and supporters have begun pushing for new legislation.
They have proposed the "Protecting Elder Realty for Retirement Years Act," or the "Katy PERRY Act," which would establish a 72-hour "cool-down" period for real estate contracts involving a party over the age of 75.
This period would allow either party to rescind the agreement without penalty, giving vulnerable homeowners time to reconsider their decision without pressure.
Perry's legal troubles with elderly property owners are not new. She was previously involved in a high-profile dispute with a group of elderly nuns over the sale of a former convent in Los Angeles.
The legal fight, which lasted for years, resulted in a jury ruling in favor of Perry and ordering the nuns to pay her company millions in legal fees.
With the damages phase of the trial now underway, Perry is scheduled to testify in person. The case has become a flashpoint for a broader debate about celebrity privilege, wealth, and the ethical responsibilities of individuals in high-value property deals.
Do you believe a celebrity's wealth and status should factor into how they handle legal disputes, or should the law be applied without bias?
For more on this developing story and other trending news, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
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