Neighbors have alleged that they’ve been “attacked” by squatters who have taken over an abandoned mansion in California.
A multi-million dollar mansion located at 7571 Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills is said to have been seized by squatters for more than two years, as reported by ABC 7.
According to the outlet, the neglected property belongs to producer John Powers Middleton – the son of billionaire and Philadelphia Phillies owner John S. Middleton.
The Phillies have confirmed this in a statement, which read: “The California properties are owned by John Powers Middleton. No other members of the family have ownership, investment, control, or involvement in these properties.”
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety declared the property, which was purchased by Middleton in 2012, a nuisance in October 2022, per NBCLA.
They ordered the film producer to build a fence around the residence, but he allegedly failed to comply with the order so the city did it instead.
Squatters still accessed the six-bedroom property and covered the walls and roof in fresh graffiti, ranging from words to a crying dead heart and faces.
A video of the home – which was used in a Diddy music video – was shared on social media and shows how it has now become a canvas for vandals.
Watch the video below:
LA City Councilmember Nithya Roman’s office said the abandoned mansion was a “public safety issue with serious consequences for both neighbors and the surrounding community,” according to NBCLA.
Neighbors have also grown tired of the squatters, revealing that they’ve had to call the authorities several times in one week. “Every time we call, the police will come and they’ll clear it out, and then within an hour or two, five more people are there and staying the night,” an unidentified neighbor told ABC 6.
The neighbor claimed that things at the property have gotten violent in the past, with one of the squatters having reportedly “attacked one of the neighbors with steel rebar and beer bottle”.
“The police told us they are tied because it’s still owned by the homeowner, so it’s stuck in limbo land,” they added.
Raman’s office confirmed that they have contacted the Los Angeles Police Department and the Department of Building and Safety about the residence.
“This owner is in egregious violation of the law and we are elevating the issue with the abandoned buildings unit at the Department of Building and Safety to ensure that the fullest extent of enforcement is being implemented urgently and swiftly,” Raman’s office added.
Police confirmed to ABC6 that they’ve been called to the California mansion six times this month. They removed 10 people on Wednesday (September 18) and arrested one person on a warrant.
Featured image credit: Variety / Getty
September 22, 24
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Neighbors claim they’ve been ‘attacked’ by squatters who took over billionaire son’s Hollywood mansion
By Asiya Ali
Neighbors have alleged that they’ve been “attacked” by squatters who have taken over an abandoned mansion in California.
A multi-million dollar mansion located at 7571 Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills is said to have been seized by squatters for more than two years, as reported by ABC 7.
According to the outlet, the neglected property belongs to producer John Powers Middleton – the son of billionaire and Philadelphia Phillies owner John S. Middleton.
The Phillies have confirmed this in a statement, which read: “The California properties are owned by John Powers Middleton. No other members of the family have ownership, investment, control, or involvement in these properties.”
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety declared the property, which was purchased by Middleton in 2012, a nuisance in October 2022, per NBCLA.
They ordered the film producer to build a fence around the residence, but he allegedly failed to comply with the order so the city did it instead.
Squatters still accessed the six-bedroom property and covered the walls and roof in fresh graffiti, ranging from words to a crying dead heart and faces.
A video of the home – which was used in a Diddy music video – was shared on social media and shows how it has now become a canvas for vandals.
Watch the video below:
LA City Councilmember Nithya Roman’s office said the abandoned mansion was a “public safety issue with serious consequences for both neighbors and the surrounding community,” according to NBCLA.
Neighbors have also grown tired of the squatters, revealing that they’ve had to call the authorities several times in one week. “Every time we call, the police will come and they’ll clear it out, and then within an hour or two, five more people are there and staying the night,” an unidentified neighbor told ABC 6.
The neighbor claimed that things at the property have gotten violent in the past, with one of the squatters having reportedly “attacked one of the neighbors with steel rebar and beer bottle”.
“The police told us they are tied because it’s still owned by the homeowner, so it’s stuck in limbo land,” they added.
Raman’s office confirmed that they have contacted the Los Angeles Police Department and the Department of Building and Safety about the residence.
“This owner is in egregious violation of the law and we are elevating the issue with the abandoned buildings unit at the Department of Building and Safety to ensure that the fullest extent of enforcement is being implemented urgently and swiftly,” Raman’s office added.
Police confirmed to ABC6 that they’ve been called to the California mansion six times this month. They removed 10 people on Wednesday (September 18) and arrested one person on a warrant.
