Legal Battle Surrounding Katy Perry’s Mansion
Chris Pratt finds himself part of a legal dispute involving a $15 million mansion in Los Angeles, caught between Katy Perry and the Wescott family. This case unfolded in court on Thursday.
Back in 2020, Carl Wescott, a U.S. Army veteran and founder of 1-800 Flowers, tried to sell an 8.9-acre estate on behalf of Perry’s business manager, Bernie Goodwie. Goodwie had helped Perry purchase a property in the Santa Barbara area in July 2020. Wescott had reportedly acquired the home for approximately $11 million just two months prior.
While Pratt isn’t required to testify, his input could potentially bolster Perry’s position concerning any funds that may be owed following the sale, according to attorney Christopher C. Melcher. The ongoing trial, which started last year, has been divided into two segments, with Perry expected to give testimony this month regarding damages.
Melcher shared that the Wescott family’s defense hinges on the fact that Perry rented the property to Chris Pratt, who, according to them, didn’t face significant issues like mold while living there. However, he noted, repairs could have been performed by Perry before Pratt moved in, meaning the property’s condition at the time of Pratt’s tenancy might not reflect its state when Perry gained access.
At the sale’s time, Wescott sought to void the contract, claiming he was incapable of signing due to recent surgery and health complications. Yet, in November 2023, Judge Joseph Lipner determined that Goodwie was entitled to the sale of the Montecito home, which he had purchased for Perry in 2020.
Documents from the court reveal that Pratt, who resides in his own home in Montecito with his wife, Catherine Schwarzenegger, has been named a witness by the Wescott family. They wish to query him about the home’s condition as well as details surrounding Perry’s rental agreement.
With a fresh set of evidence emerging just before the second phase of the trial, it’s alleged that Perry had rented Wescott’s property to Pratt and his wife. Perry is now in the midst of a six-day non-jury trial, seeking up to $6 million in damages—claiming issues like structural faults and deferred maintenance harmed the property and their potential rental income.
Among the claims is that an estimated $2.29 million in repairs are exaggerated, and there are rumors that Perry may have paid Pratt $150,000 for renting the property for the summer. While Perry is compelled to take the stand, the Wescott family also seeks the appearance of Perry’s former partner, Orlando Bloom, who received a subpoena to testify.
The judge has questioned how Bloom’s testimony would be beneficial, suggesting it might just turn the proceedings into a “celebrity circus.” It’s still unclear whether Pratt will testify, though sources have indicated the Wescott family intends to summon him due to his significance to the case.
Earlier this month, Pratt and Schwarzenegger listed their property in Pacific Palisades, which originally hit the market at $32 million but now has a reduced price of $19.99 million. Currently, Pratt’s representatives have not commented on the ongoing situation.
