EXCLUSIVE: Son of Veteran Reveals Impact of Katy Perry's $15 Million Lawsuit on His Ailing Father's Health

The son of an elderly veteran, Carl Westcott, has revealed the heavy emotional burden the long-running legal dispute with pop star Katy Perry has placed on his father. The family is eager for the case to conclude so they can spend his remaining days in peace.

Carl Westcott, 85, founder of 1-800-Flowers, became involved in a legal battle after agreeing to sell his Montecito, California, home for $15 million to Perry in 2020, then attempting to cancel the deal days later, citing the influence of pain medication on his decision. The dispute persisted for three years, culminating in a judge granting Perry ownership of the property, which she officially took over in May 2024.

Perry then filed a $5 million lawsuit against Westcott, who suffers from Huntington's disease, claiming the home required extensive repairs and that she lost rental income during the drawn-out proceedings. The final resolution of the case is expected by the end of this month, providing the Westcott family hope for closure.

Westcott's son, Chart, expressed relief at the impending conclusion, stating, This has been a lengthy and exhausting legal process. We look forward to a final verdict so our family can put this behind us and spend these remaining days in peace with our father. We are grateful for the support and patience of our friends and community, and we trust the court to deliver justice for our father, Carl.

The last step in the case involves both parties agreeing to a proposed decision by Judge Joseph Lipner. On November 25, he determined Perry should not receive the full $4.8 million she sought, but rather a reduced amount of $1.8 million. This includes $2,795,000 for lost rental income from September 2020 to March 2024, offset by deductions for retained capital, interest, and repair costs.

Once the settlement is approved, Westcott will not owe Perry any additional money; instead, the $1.8 million will be subtracted from the $6 million she still owes for the property. Her business manager, Bernie Gudvi, had initially paid $9 million of the agreed $15 million and is now expected to pay the remaining $4,157,857.16.

The judges tentative decision allowed time for both sides to propose changes before the final judgment, expected by December 30. Westcotts legal team had argued that his age, back issues, recent surgery, and opioid use rendered him of unsound mind when agreeing to the sale. Perrys representatives maintained he was of sound mind and only attempted to withdraw because he could not find a suitable replacement property.

The Montecito home, dating to the 1930s, features 9,285 square feet, eight bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, a tennis court, two guesthouses, and a pool. During a court hearing in August, Perry admitted the property is actually owned by her former fianc, Orlando Bloom, via an LLC, DDoveB. She clarified her role in renovations was limited to advising and observing, and she did not contribute financially to the purchase.

Westcotts lawyers also sought to call Bloom as a witness regarding the homes condition, but the judge restricted testimony to contractors involved in repairs. Hollywood actor Chris Pratt and his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, who temporarily lived in the home, were noted as potential witnesses to counter Perrys claims about pre-existing damage.

The courts final decision will close a bitter, multi-year dispute, allowing the Westcott family to move forward and Carl Westcott to enjoy his remaining years with dignity.

Author: Grace Ellison