A second Los Angeles mansion owned by billionaire heir John Powers Middleton has fallen victim to ruthless vandalism, just weeks after his other property made headlines for being tagged with ‘Diddy was here’ – a move nod to a music video shot by Sean Combs on location years ago.
Both properties, now blighted and occupied by squatters, have become a symbol of neglect in the affluent neighborhoods they occupy.
Middleton, the son of Philadelphia Phillies owner John S. Middleton, has come under fire for allowing homes to be demolished. The most recent incident occurred at his Sunset Plaza residence, where the graffiti reappeared just days after a new coat of paint was applied.
The multi-million dollar property has reportedly been plagued by hoardings and vandalism for years. One resident was even arrested in January 2022 after invading the home with his dog.
In August 2023, more offenders wreaked havoc, leading to another police intervention. Neighbors, who once admired the house for its lavish design, including three swimming pools and a helipad, are now mourning its downfall.
“It’s tragic,” Alexander Gorbis, a family friend of the previous owner, told KABC. “I [virtually] grew up in that house. To see how it is now is beyond words.”
Middleton’s other mansion, valued at $6.53 million, hasn’t fared much better. As unpaid property taxes mount, a lien has been placed on the home, which has seen police called there six times in September alone.
This month alone, 10 residents were evicted from the country. Local officials are losing patience. Council member Nithya Raman criticized Middleton for what she called “egregious violations of the law,” highlighting the serious public safety risks posed by decaying properties.
“Irresponsible property owners must take responsibility for their property or face action from the city,” Raman said.
In a statement to The Post, Middleton expressed his regret for the situation: “I would like to apologize to the people of Los Angeles, and especially my neighbors. What has happened to the two properties I own is unacceptable and despite what caused it, I have the houses.”
He also defended his efforts, stating that he had hired security teams to protect the properties.
“Both homes had a property manager and/or security on site, including car security. We have intercepted or thwarted many attempts to break in … but the attackers, especially those who have occupied, have been relentless and our security people were overwhelmed.”
In response to the ongoing chaos, Middleton claims he has now beefed up security with 24/7 armed guards and has multiple crews working to repair the damage.
“I am disappointed to note that even though I have been working this week to paint over the graffiti, vandals have managed to break through and paint over the freshly cleaned walls. Given the persistence of many offenders, it is a struggle,” he said.
Middleton pledged to return any taxpayer money used to insure the homes and promised to pay off his unpaid taxes.
“No one in Los Angeles should have to deal with rampant hijackers and vandalism,” he said.
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