Chris Pratt could be dragged into Katy Perry's $22m home battle

News.com.au

a day ago

Chris Pratt could be dragged into a bitter legal battle between Katy Perry and a dying war veteran who claims he was forced to surrender his home to her.
Carl Westcott, 85, struck a deal to sell his California mansion to the 'Roar' singer for $US15 million ($A22 million) back in 2020.
Days later, Mr Westcott — who suffers from the neurological disorder Huntington's disease — tried to back out of the deal.
He blamed his mental capacity, claiming he was not in his right mind and under the influence of pain medication after undoing a recent surgery when he made the decision to sell, the New York Pos t reports.
Pratt and his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger went on to rent the $US15 million ($A23 million) Montecito house from the pop star.
The 'Teenage Dream' hit maker is now suing the ailing man – who receives 24/7 care – for $US6 million ($A9.1 million) to cover back rent and alleged damages.
In 2023, a judge ruled Perry was the rightful owner of the mansion and ordered that the original sale contract — which was arranged via the pop star's business manager, Bernie Gudvi — should be upheld.
Perry officially took possession of the home in May 2024. The keys were exchanged, meaning that Westcott had to move out.
The sprawling compound has eight bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, a tennis court, two guesthouses, and a pool.
A source told The US Sun Pratt is 'likely' to be served a subpoena 'because he is a material witness'.
'For example, to establish when he started renting? He is living in a property that is wrapped up in a legal battle,' the source said. 'Katy has already been mandated to do so.'
The source added that Mr Westcott's legal team 'want to know how much Pratt is renting the house for.
'Perry has claimed millions of dollars in damages, and claimed that it's not liveable – it's clearly liveable because an A-list actor is renting it.'
The Daily Mail reported in June that the singer had rented out the property to Pratt.
A source told the paper, 'The arrangement suits Chris, but it's a bit of a surprise given how Katy fought tooth and nail to get her hands on the house.'
'She previously suggested it was the ideal place for her and Orlando to raise a family.
'After all that time, energy, and money, it seems unthinkable that they are not going to live in it.'
The 'California Gurls' singer countersued Mr Westcott, claiming the veteran owes her $US3.25 million ($A4.9 million) in damages because she was unable to rent out the mansion during their legal fight from September 2020 to March 2024.
Perry's legal team later added an additional $US2.29 million ($A3.5 million) in repair damages, claiming it needed to be restored to the condition it was purchased in.
The 'Birthday' singer will face off with Mr Westcott's family for the second phase of their legal war over the mansion which is scheduled for August 21.
Mr Westcott's son, Chart, spoke exclusively to The Post after the judge ruled that Perry's ex, Orlando Bloom, would not have to testify in the trial.
Carl's lawyers wanted to depose the actor to grill him about the alleged repairs and ask if he ever lived in the home with his now ex-fiancee.
When asked if it was an injustice that Bloom won't have to take the stand, Chart responded, 'It absolutely is,' alleging the actor 'told our property manager he was 'in charge of repairs' and in addition to that, he is on the LLC that owns the house as a manager.'
'He should have to testify. It isn't, you know, about us trying to drag him into it. He's already in it. It's ridiculous.'
The Post verified that Orlando is also listed on the LLC.
Chart said his dad is 'literally bedridden and can barely speak,' adding, 'that's been the status for over a year.'
Carl's son slammed the 'Firework' singer, noting, 'He's spending his days in a hospital bed and Katy Perry is spending her days trying to get his money.'
To Chart, he feels Perry's public image is the opposite of what he's seen during the nearly five-year legal fight.
'Here's what makes me so mad, though. Her public image, she tries to couch it as, you know, empathy and compassion, and all these you know bulls** t words that are not who she is,' he quipped.
'I mean, her fake compassion, her fake empathy. It's all bulls**t. You know, she's a greedy b***h.'
Chart, who will be testifying at the trial, revealed his ideal outcome would be 'for the judge to tell her she gets no damages, to pound sand, and she never should've done this in the first place.'
'I just can't believe she hasn't even apologised. She hasn't even said, 'Sorry, we're putting you through this,'' he continued. 'It's disgusting.'
Chart added: 'Avoiding accountability for her immoral and wrong choices is basically a hallmark of her. She's essentially a giant spoiled brat, you know, I mean it, like to boil it down.
Mr Westcott's attorneys previously shot down Perry's claims that the property was damaged between 2020 and 2024.
They claimed Perry had to deposit $US9 million ($A13.7 million) of the $US15 million ($A23 million) sale price into an escrow account, which left '$US6 million ($A9.1 million) of the price she owes up to the decision of the court after the second phase of the trial,' reported Us Weekly.
'Perry's game is clear. During years of litigation, she asserted $US3.25 million ($A4.9 million) in loss of use damages,' their filing reportedly read.
'But immediately after the [decision], providing that she would pay $US9 million ($A13.7 million) of the $US15 million ($A23 million) price … was approved by the Court, she is trying to add $US2.29 million ($A3.5 million) in 'new damages' which brings her total damages claim up to $US5.4 million ($A8.2 million), an amount close to the $US6 million ($A9.1 million) she still owes.'