By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-27 21:55:29 | Updated at 2024-09-30 11:43:01
2 days ago
The son of a billionaire baseball team owner has issued a groveling apology after two of his multi-million dollar Los Angeles mansions became graffiti-covered eyesores overrun by squatters.
John Powers Middleton, 40, whose father owns the Philadelphia Phillies, has come under fire as his luxurious properties descended into chaos.
The Sunset Plaza mansion, once a gorgeous home boasting three swimming pools and a helipad, is now defaced in graffiti - leaving just a shell of its former glory.
After facing mounting backlash, Middleton finally broke his silence, telling The New York Post: 'I would like to apologize to the people of Los Angeles, and especially to my neighbors. What's happened to the two properties I own is unacceptable, and no matter what caused it, I own the houses.'
Middleton has issued a groveling apology after two of his multi-million dollar Los Angeles mansions became graffiti-covered eyesores overrun by squatters
John Powers Middleton (pictured right), 40, whose father owns the Philadelphia Phillies, has come under fire as his luxurious properties descended into chaos
But the Sunset Plaza property isn't the only one. Middleton's other mansion, valued at a whopping $6.53 million, has also become a hotbed of illegal activity with looters and squatters.
Authorities were forced to evict 10 squatters from the site just this month and the house has seen police rushing to the scene six times in September alone.
Middleton told the outlet that in an effort to stop the squatters, he's called armed guards to patrol the properties 24/7, while multiple crews work around the clock to undo the damage.
'Both houses have had a property manager and/or security in place, including drive-by security. We have caught or thwarted numerous break-in attempts,' he added.
'But the attackers, especially the squatters, have been relentless, and our security people were overwhelmed.'
But his efforts have not made much of a difference, he insisted.
'I'm disappointed to note that even as I have worked this week to paint over the graffiti, vandals still managed to break in and paint over the newly cleaned walls. Given the persistence of the numerous trespassers, it's a struggle,' he said.
'No one in Los Angeles should have to put up with squatters and vandalism that are out of control,' he said.
Neighborhood resident, Marina Mizruh, said: 'We had squatters, and more squatters, and then graffiti, and more graffiti. What needs to happen?'
The second home was given fresh paint only to be vandalized again with new graffiti days later
Other residents in the area told the outlet that the vandalism is a 'reflection of the decline of America'
Los Angeles Councilmember Nithya Raman's office said that Middleton was in 'egregious violation of the law' after poor handling of the properties
The second home was vandalized just this week. It was the second multi-story mansion in the area to have been targeted by vandals - both that were owned by John Powers Middleton.
The first property, where alleged sexual offender Sean Combs once filmed a music video, was tagged 'Diddy was here.'
The second home was given fresh paint, according to the outlet, only to be vandalized again with new graffiti days later.
For years, the properties have become eyesores to nearby residents as well as a safety concern.
Neighborhood resident, Marina Mizruh, said neighbors had complained about the property many times.
One armed squatter was arrested in January 2022 and then again in August 2023, but more squatters destroyed the property prompting more police visits, reported KABC.
'We had squatters, and more squatters, and then graffiti, and more graffiti. What needs to happen? I think the city should eventually re-possess the house and take it down,' she told NBC.
The other mansion owned by the family has also been defaced
Los Angeles Councilmember Nithya Raman's office said that Middleton was in 'egregious violation of the law' after poor handling of the properties.
A lien had been issued on the tagged $6.53 million home after Middleton defaulted on property taxes, reported the New York Post.
Middleton was also ordered by the LA Department of Building and Safety to build a fence and secure the property which, after he did not, resulted in the city building a fence, reported NBC.
Other residents in the area told the outlet that the vandalism is a 'reflection of the decline of America', as the tagging of the property has further increased in recent years.
One armed squatter was arrested in January 2022 and then again in August 2023, but more squatters destroyed the property prompting more police visits
