Pop star Katy Perry is embroiled in a contentious legal battle with Carl Westcott, an 85-year-old military veteran, over a disputed sale of a mansion in Montecito, California. Perry is seeking approximately $5 million in damages, stemming from claims made by Westcott that he was mentally impaired due to illness and medication at the time of the transaction. This case has drawn considerable attention, highlighting the stark contrast between Perry’s celebrity status and Westcott’s declining health.
The conflict traces back to July 2020, when Perry and her then-partner, actor Orlando Bloom, purchased an eight-bedroom estate from Westcott for $15 million. Reports indicate that the couple sent a letter to Westcott, emphasizing the urgency of the sale due to the upcoming birth of their child and describing the estate as an ideal family home. Shortly after the sale was finalized, Westcott attempted to rescind the agreement, citing his health issues and the painkillers he was prescribed following back surgery.
By December 2023, the matter had escalated to court, where a judge ruled in favor of Perry. The judge stated that Westcott “offered no convincing evidence that he was incapable of consenting” to the sale, according to News.com.au. Following this ruling, Perry countersued for $3.25 million, claiming losses from being unable to lease the property during the legal dispute, along with $2.2 million for alleged repair costs and $3 million in legal fees.
As the legal proceedings continued, Westcott’s health deteriorated, and he became bedridden due to Huntington’s disease. His son has publicly expressed concern over the toll these legal battles have taken on his father, suggesting that a simple apology could alleviate some of the emotional distress. However, there has been no indication that Perry plans to offer any form of reconciliation.
This is not the first time Perry has faced criticism for her legal actions against vulnerable individuals. In 2018, she was involved in a similar property dispute with Sister Catherine Rose Holzman and the sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Following a judge’s ruling in favor of Perry, Holzman collapsed and died during a post-judgment hearing at the age of 89. One of Holzman’s final statements was a plea to Perry: “And to Katy Perry, please stop. It’s not doing anyone any good except hurting a lot of people.”
As this latest legal battle unfolds, it raises questions about the ethics of celebrity involvement in disputes with individuals facing significant health challenges. The outcome remains to be seen, but the implications for both Perry and Westcott are likely to resonate beyond this courtroom.
