Judge Rules In Favour Of Katy Perry & Orlando Bloom During House Lawsuit

The beginning part of Katy Perry's battle for the $15 million mansion she bought as a family home for her and Orlando Bloom, has come to an end.  

A judge has ruled that Carl Westcott, an entrepreneur who sold Katy the home in July 2020, then tried to rescind the deal, was of sound mind when he agreed to sell the property. He cited his mental capacity for rescinding.

"Wescott presented no persuasive evidence that he lacked capacity to enter into a real estate contract." This will become permanent in 10 days.

In a statement, Katy's attorney, Eric Rowen, said, “Today’s proposed decision is clear — the judge found that Mr. Westcott could not prove anything other than he was of perfectly sound mind when he engaged in complex negotiations over several weeks with multiple parties to transact a lucrative sale of the property that netted him a substantial profit."

"The evidence shows that Mr. Westcott breached the contract for no other reason than he had changed his mind.  We look forward to wrapping this matter up at the scheduled damage trial phase set for February 13 and 14, if not before.”

Westcott filed a lawsuit against the singer's business manager Bernie Gudvi in August 2020, with the trial starting in late September. 

Since, the judge has bifurcated the case, and Katy is expected to testify in the countersuit regarding damages.

In a statement to Westcott's son, Chart said, "While we do not agree with Judge Lipner’s ruling and wish he had spelled our father’s name correctly in his ruling, we accept it. Katy Perry will now have to testify, in person, on damages and the contradictory claims she has made over lost income for the rental of my father’s home. While this has been a long road, the fight for my father is not over and we will continue to represent him and his legacy of incredible achievements."

In court documents, Judge Joseph Lipner attributes his ruling to witness testimony: "Wescott's primary trial evidence on lack of capacity was the analysis and testimony of his retained expert, which the Court did not find credible or persuasive."

"On the other hand, significant evidence showed that Wescott had capacity to enter into the contract. This evidence includes the testimony of percipient witnesses who interacted with Westcott during the days he negotiated and signed the contract; Westcott's written communications during those same days, showing him to be coherent, engaged, lucid, and rational; and the medical reports of Westcott's doctors, none of whom found he lacked capacity to engage in any action before the sales contract or for over a year afterwards."

He noted although Dr. Small made his opinion clear, he "gave no logical, much less persuasive, reason" to believe Westcott was mentally unfit to enter into a contract despite "attempting" to answer several times.

"Westcott understood he sold the house and needed to find a new place to live," and was making other deals around the same time that were never questioned.

Katy had plans to make the eight-bedroom, 11-bath property a family home for her, Bloom and their 3-year-old daughter Daisy Dove.

In opening statements, attorneys for Westcott said he’d been diagnosed with the genetic brain disorder Huntington's disease in 2015, and had undergone spinal surgery five days before the sale. This reportedly left him in a "postoperative delirium” when Katy's contract was presented to him.

They alleged he had been showing signs of “delusion” and “intrusive thoughts” but had been “masking” his symptoms because of his position.

Later, in opening statements, attorneys claimed his excuse of mental incapacity was “fabricated” and “fake,” and that his doctor said two days before surgery that he trusted Westcott to consent to spinal surgery.

Westcott’s real estate agent Cristal Clarke also testified he was “very clear and concise.” and no one expressed any concern about his mental abilities.

Six weeks later, the day before he was to undergo another surgery, it was revealed Maria Shriver made an “out of the blue” offer on the home for $13 million, which Westcott countered for $13.5 million. 

It was testified Westcott quickly rescinded his offer, and they agreed he could get more money for the home with another buyer.

In July, Katy offered $13.5 million and eventually agreed to Westcott’s counter-offer of $15 million, which she signed to pay in all cash with no contingencies.

It was also testified he encouraged associates to “please proceed” with the sale, and allegedly said to keep Shriver’s $13.5 million offer on the back burner in case things fell through with Katy.

His attorneys said Westcott toured several other properties after signing with Katy, and said he wanted to rescind the contract. After his agent told him he was bound by contract, he requested real estate lawyers, but shortly after said he was “ready to resume” his search for a new home.

He eventually told a broker on July 23rd, he had “decided not to sell” the home.

His lawyers also alleged the people around him, were “people with pecuniary interests” who wanted to make commission.

In a letter addressed to him written by Katy and Orlando, the couple expressed excitement at “making their life and future memories” at the home.

“As you know we are expecting a baby next month and know that this will be the best place to bring her home to and raise her in. Though there were other properties that did interest us, yours will provide us with the comfort of security, privacy and safety… This home will be a respite, one where we will be able to grow together as a family.”