John Powers Middleton, son of the Philadelphia Phillies' owner, apologized Wednesday for the ongoing vandalism at two abandoned mansions in the Hollywood Hills that have sat vacant for years.
The property, located at Mulholland Drive and North Sunset Plaza Drive, has been the target of squatters and vandals, and both walls are covered in graffiti.
Mr Middleton acknowledged the problem in a statement, saying: “What happened to two properties I own is unacceptable. Regardless of what happened, I own the homes.”
He also said security had been installed at both homes, but due to continued vandalism, including graffiti on freshly painted walls, they now have 24/7 armed security. The city of Los Angeles installed a fence around the Mulholland Drive property in early September. According to NBC News Los Angeles is home to the Los Angeles Police Department. City officials also removed graffiti from the high-rise structure, and Middleton promised to repay taxpayer funds used to clean up and protect the property.
Records show Middleton purchased the Mulholland Drive mansion in 2012.
In 2022, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety ordered Middleton to erect a fence after the house was declared a public nuisance. When he didn't comply, the city decided to do it itself. Built in 2003, the home features six bedrooms and a pool over four floors with sweeping views of Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Aerial view of a worker painting the second of two mansions covered in graffiti on September 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. According to local residents, this building was destroyed in the past few days. Both mansions were owned by John Powers Middleton, the son of the billionaire owner of the Philadelphia Phillies, but were unoccupied when squatters broke in and destroyed them. Some of the vandals' tags are the same as many painted on the so-called “Graffiti Tower,” an unfinished 30-story downtown building that suffered major damage earlier this year. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
The second property is located on North Sunset Plaza Drive, about eight miles south of Mulholland's mansion. Both homes are being inspected by the Department of Building and Safety. Los Angeles City Councilmember Nitya Raman's office condemned the situation, calling Middleton's lack of action a “gross violation of the law.” (Related: California city receives huge payout from Chevron in exchange for lower refinery taxes)
Two people have been arrested in connection with vandalism at a Mulholland Drive residence in early September. (Related: Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston's Beverly Hills mansion sold for $32.5 million)
“This is a public safety issue that has serious implications for both neighbors and the surrounding community. Irresponsible property owners must take responsibility for their properties or face lawsuits from the city.” must be confronted,” Raman's office said.
