Katy Perry has been criticised by the family of a terminally ill veteran as she seeks what she describes as 'justice' in a long-running legal battle. The pop star is demanding $6 million from 85-year-old Carl Westcott, a former Army veteran who suffers from an incurable brain disorder, for back rent and damages to the Montecito mansion she purchased from him five years ago.
Westcott's sons have accused Perry of pursuing a 'painful legal battle while our father, a mentally disabled Army veteran, is in declining health.' Appearing in a Los Angeles court on Tuesday, Perry claimed she is not solely after monetary compensation but also 'justice'. When asked if she would gain financially from the litigation, she replied: 'Yes...justice. I stand to lose money if it does not work in my favour.'
Perry purchased the property for $15 million cash in 2020, using her business manager as an agent. Days after signing the contract, Westcott, who was under the influence of painkillers at the time, tried to back out. Perry and her then-fiancé Orlando Bloom contested the cancellation and won ownership. The title was later transferred to a limited liability company controlled by Bloom.
Now Perry is seeking nearly $2.5 million in damages and $3.5 million in back rent, though her lawyers later reduced the claim to $1.3 million. Following the court appearance, Westcott's son Chart slammed Perry's pursuit of 'justice', stating: 'She could live anywhere in the world, but she chose to press forward in a way that has deeply hurt our family. We wish there had been more empathy, more humanity, and more understanding.'
