Katy Perry’s Legal Battle Over Property Bought From 84-Year-Old Veteran Inspired a New Bill Named After Her
Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Reading Time: 3 minutes
Katy Perry and her husband Orlando Bloom have found themselves tangled in a legal dispute with an unexpected opponent, 84-year-old veteran Carl Westcott, who had sold them their $15 million Santa Barbara home in July 2020. This dispute has not only caught the attention of the public but has also led to the introduction of a new bill known as the Katy Perry Act.
Katy Perry Act is Introduced Amid The Singer’s Legal Battle
The heart of the matter lies in the circumstances surrounding the sale of the property to Perry and Bloom. Court documents reveal that at the time of the transaction, Carl Westcott was under the influence of potent pain-killing opiates and had no intention of selling his cherished home. Furthermore, doctors diagnosed him with Huntington’s Disease, a genetic brain disorder, back in 2015.
A crucial turning point occurred when Westcott underwent major back surgery shortly before he received the contract for selling his house in July 2020. The surgery placed him on multiple opiate medications, a synthetic form of morphine, which left him disoriented and intoxicated. This impairment deprived him of his ability to fully comprehend the terms and consequences of the contract, essentially rendering him incapable of giving his informed consent.
Westcott’s family, led by his son Chart, is now championing an act known as the “Protecting Elder Realty for Retirement Years Act,” affectionately referred to as “The Katy Perry Act.” This legislative proposal aims to address the pressing issue of elder financial abuse, particularly concerning property and real estate transactions.
In essence, the Katy Perry Act seeks to fill a crucial gap in the law by safeguarding senior citizens from real estate deals that may take advantage of their compromised mental capacities at the time of sale. It is a step towards greater protection for the elderly in financial matters.
She Must Testify in Controversial $15 Million Home Purchase Trial
Perry has been compelled to testify in a legal battle concerning her acquisition of a $15 million mansion in Montecito, California. The trial, marked by conflicting claims, has garnered significant attention, particularly due to its connection to proposed legislation known as the Katy Perry Act, aimed at safeguarding elderly individuals in real estate deals.
Westcott’s diagnosis of Huntington’s Disease and the use of powerful pain-killing opiates at the time of the sale have formed the core of his argument. In response, Perry has counter-sued, seeking over $5 million in damages, asserting that the legal battle has led to financial losses related to the property.
As Perry prepares to give her testimony in October, this case continues to shed light on the broader issue of elderly financial vulnerability in real estate transactions. The trial’s outcome could have far-reaching implications not only for the parties involved but also for potential legal protections for elderly individuals facing similar circumstances in the future.
