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A judge has awarded Katy Perry nearly $2 million in damages in her legal war against disabled veteran Carl Westcott over the $15 million Montecito home she purchased from him five years ago.
The singer, 41, and the businessman founder of 1-800-Flowers have been battling since 2020 over the eight-bedroom, 11-bathroom home in the upscale community that counts Meghan Markle and Oprah Winfrey among its residents.
Within days of agreeing to sell the property to Perry, Westcott tried backing out of the deal, claiming he was incapacitated at the time he signed the paperwork due to painkillers.
However, the judge overseeing the case in Los Angeles concluded in May 2024 that Westcott was of sound mind and presented 'no persuasive evidence that he lacked capacity to enter into a real estate contract.'
The latest ruling states that the Roar hitmaker is owed $1,842,142.84, according to court documents obtained by People.
The amount decided upon was reached by deducting the value of retained capital (over $1 million) along with Westcott's lost interest (nearly $150,000) from the rental value the property accumulated during the delayed closing period (over $2.7 million).
In addition, the judge reduced the amount in repairs Perry asked for down to $259,581.84 - a figure Westcott had previously suggested himself.
In regards to the $15 million sale, the judge noted that Perry's business manager Bernie Gudvi paid Westcott $9 million for the purchase and kept $6 million of the purchase price. Gudvi can now subtract $1.8 million from the leftover $6 million.
In addition, Gudvi has been tasked with preparing the judgement. A hearing in which he can challenge the judgement has been set for December 30, according to People.
While it is a victory for Perry, she did not get exactly what she claimed she owed in legal documents she filed several days ago.
The singer asked the court to force Westcott to pay $4,718,698.95 to account for damages she says he caused with extended litigation over the real estate sale.
Her attorneys for the Roar artist said that she was 'entitled to $3,525,000 in rental value' that she lost due to the extended legal battle with Westcott.
They also demanded that the veteran should pay her '$1,343,401.95 for necessary repairs for a total of $4,868,401.95.'
Lawyers for Perry argued that after deducting $149,703 for losses Westcott had suffered, the final sum came out to $4,718,698.95.
Attorneys for Westcott said that it's actually Perry that owes money, in terms of the financials involved.
Perry owes Westcott $6 million of the $15 million she agreed to pay for the property, Westcott's lawyers said.
Westcott's attorney said in legal docs filed in Los Angeles on November 7 that Perry has only paid $9 million.
Westcott would agree to deduct repair costs to whittle the amount down to $5,740,418.18, his legal team said.
In August, Perry testified via a Zoom stream to Los Angeles Court about her purchase of the property, which is spread over 2.5 acres.
Perry was asked by Westcott lawyer Andrew J. Thomas if she was positioned to 'gain money or anything else from the outcome of this litigation.'
The singer replied, 'Yes … justice; I stand to lose money if it does not work in my favor.'
Perry, who purchased Westcott's home with then boyfriend Orlando Bloom, with whom she shares daughter Daisy, is currently in a romantic relationship with former Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.