Judge Fumes Over Katy Perry's Legal Maneuvers in $15M House Dispute
KATY PERRY'S $15 MILLION MANOR MAYHEM: Pop Star's Real Estate Trial Heats Up with Judge's Scathing Rebuke
In a drama-filled day in court, Katy Perry found herself at odds with a judge who blasted her lawyers for trying to ambush the courtroom with a surprise video appearance by the pop star. The singer, 40, is seeking millions from 85-year-old Carl Westcott, a dying veteran, over repairs and back rent on their $15 million Montecito mansion.
The tension began when Westcott's attorney, Andrew Thomas, revealed that Perry's team had only informed him a day earlier that she would be testifying via video at 1:30 pm. Thomas objected to the sudden change of plans, calling it "undue surprise" and "extremely prejudicial." He claimed that he was not prepared to question Perry, who is currently on tour.
But Perry's attorney, Eric Rowen, shot back, accusing Westcott's lawyers of "targeting" her and creating a "media circus." However, Judge Joseph Lipner sided with Thomas, ruling that Perry's team had engaged in unfair tactics that reflected poorly on them and the singer. He ordered Perry to reschedule her testimony for Tuesday, August 26, at 11 am via video.
The judge also imposed a time limit on Perry's testimony, restricting it to just two hours. The move was seen as a blow to Perry's team, which had hoped to use her video appearance to make their case more compelling.
The drama surrounding the trial has been building for months, with both sides trading barbs and accusations. Westcott, who suffers from an incurable brain disorder, claimed that he was under the influence of painkillers when he signed the sale contract with Perry in 2020. He tried to back out of the deal just days later, but Perry and her ex-fiancé Orlando Bloom fought him, insisting that they wanted to keep the mansion.
The couple won their case to keep the property, which boasts a tennis court, two guesthouses, and a pool. However, Westcott sued to have the sales contract voided, claiming that he was taken advantage of by Perry's team. The singer is now seeking $6 million from Westcott, claiming nearly $2.5 million in damages to the property and $3.5 million in back rent.
But Westcott's family members are not backing down. His son Chart, 39, accused Perry of being "entitled" and "having no sense of fair play." He claimed that his father was in a vulnerable state when he signed the contract, and that Perry had taken advantage of him.
"It's outrageous," Chart said. "She has no empathy for my dad, who is bedridden and suffering from a debilitating disease."
Perry's team has hired over a dozen experts to scour the house for faults, claiming that it needed $1.1 million in repairs due to extensive basement damage caused by flooding from a water leak. They also argue that the roof of a guest cottage/poolhouse was damaged when an oak tree fell on it.
However, Westcott's lawyers dispute these claims, arguing that Perry is simply trying to line her pockets with more money. "There's no real explanation other than greed," Chart said. "This is such a small deal to be worried about – I think it's a matter of privilege."
The trial is expected to last 4-5 days, with over 37 witnesses scheduled to testify. Among them are Westcott's son Court and daughter-in-law Kameron Westcott, who appeared in court on Thursday.
Perry has also come under fire for renting out the mansion to actor Chris Pratt and his family while the trial is ongoing. The singer is estimated to be worth $350 million, leading some to accuse her of being out of touch with reality.
In a surprising move, Judge Lipner excused Orlando Bloom from testifying as a witness, citing concerns about creating a "celebrity circus." But the drama will likely continue, with both sides vying for control of the mansion and its millions.
As one observer noted, "This is not just about a house – it's about principle. And Katy Perry's team seems to have forgotten that."
