Katy Perry accused of exploiting dying veteran in $15M high-stakes mansion lawsuit as legal war escalates
A high-profile legal dispute involving pop icon Katy Perry and 85-year-old veteran Carl Westcott has sparked renewed public scrutiny as both parties prepare to return to court. The second phase of the trial, set for August 21, follows a previous ruling that deemed Perry the rightful owner of a Santa Barbara mansion worth $15 million—a sale now deeply entangled in claims of exploitation, mental incapacity, and celebrity privilege.
Katy Perry fights $15M mansion case against 85-year-old veteran Carl Westcott as legal battle escalates over damages, rent loss, and repairs.
Carl Westcott is “RHOD” alum Kameron Westcott’s father-in-law.
The $15 million mansion at the center of their legal battle.
Getty Images for Katy Perry
The property transaction occurred in 2020 when Westcott, who suffers from late-stage Huntington’s disease and dementia, signed over the estate to Perry via her business manager, Bernie Gudvi. Westcott later attempted to rescind the sale, asserting that he was under the influence of pain medication following surgery and lacked the mental capacity to make such a decision.
A judge ruled against Westcott in December 2023, stating that he appeared “coherent, engaged, lucid, and rational” during the negotiation period. The deed was formally transferred to Perry’s LLC—DDoveB, named in honor of her daughter Daisy Dove Bloom—in May 2024.
Kameron Wescott/Instagram
Courtroom tensions have only intensified since. Perry has filed a countersuit, demanding $3.25 million in damages, alleging she lost the opportunity to rent out the mansion from 2020 to 2024 due to the protracted litigation. Her legal team has since increased the claim to $5.54 million, including an additional $2.29 million for property repairs reportedly needed to return the home to its original condition.
Chart Westcott, Carl’s son, has been vocal about what he views as Perry’s morally indefensible conduct. Speaking to The Post, he described the singer as a “giant spoiled brat” who is pursuing financial gain at the expense of a bedridden, terminally ill man. According to Chart, his father’s health has declined significantly in the past year, and the stress of ongoing litigation has taken a toll.
The upcoming phase of the trial may also include scrutiny of Perry’s alleged rental of the estate to actor Chris Pratt and his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger. Reports emerged suggesting the couple moved into the property recently, which could impact Perry’s damage claims if proven true.
Village Properties
Efforts to involve Orlando Bloom, Perry’s ex-fiancé and a listed manager on the LLC that owns the property, were thwarted when a judge ruled on August 1 that he would not be compelled to testify. Chart expressed disappointment at the decision, arguing that Bloom had previously told the family’s property manager he was “in charge of repairs” and should be subject to examination.
Perry’s legal representatives maintain that the $15 million price tag for the mansion factored in its original condition, arguing that Carl Westcott’s alleged neglect of structural issues—including flood damage and a cracked foundation—warrants compensation. According to their filings, the singer is entitled to recover costs stemming from deficiencies that should have been addressed prior to the sale.
The Westcott family remains defiant, insisting the lawsuit is not about reclaiming funds but about protecting the legacy and charitable intentions of a dying man. Chart asserts that a significant portion of his father’s wealth was earmarked for philanthropic purposes, which he believes are now being compromised.
The court has yet to determine how the remaining $6 million of the $15 million purchase price—currently held in escrow—will be resolved. Westcott’s legal team argues that Perry’s increase in damage claims conveniently aligns with the sum she still owes, describing it as a strategic move to offset the remaining balance.
No public comment has been issued by Perry or Bloom’s legal teams regarding the latest developments.
