Katy Perry's $15 million Montecito mansion dispute has taken another turn, with former owner Carl Westcott seeking permission to question the singer and her former partner Orlando Bloom about a disputed purchase-price balance. Westcott's lawyers claim that approximately $4.06 million remained payable after a damages award, while a reported $900,000 payment in June 2026 has complicated the calculation of the outstanding amount.
The former owner's legal team alleges that Perry's business manager, Bernie Gudvi, has failed to pay the full amount they say is due. Gudvi's lawyers argue that the remaining purchase money cannot be released while a separate dispute over millions of dollars in legal fees remains unresolved.
Former Owner Seeks Answers Over Mansion Payment
The dispute began in 2020, when Perry and Bloom agreed to purchase Westcott's sprawling Montecito estate for $15 million. Westcott, an entrepreneur and US Army veteran who founded 1-800-Flowers, later attempted to overturn the sale, arguing that he lacked the mental capacity to complete the transaction after undergoing surgery and taking pain medication.
A judge ruled in December 2023 that the original purchase contract was enforceable, allowing the sale to proceed. The property was transferred in May 2024, with title held by DDoveB, a limited liability company associated with Bloom.
The subsequent financial proceedings addressed the outstanding purchase price and a damages award of approximately $1.94 million. Reports put the remaining balance at around $4.06 million after the award was deducted from the approximately $6 million previously outstanding.
Westcott's lawyers are seeking permission to question Perry and Bloom under oath about the payment arrangements. They argue that Perry is principally responsible for the payment, while Bloom is a managing member of the limited liability company that took title to the property in May 2024.
The application does not mean either celebrity has been ordered to testify, as the court must determine the next steps in the proceedings. If questioning is authorised, Westcott's legal team could seek further information about the disputed payments and the parties' handling of the outstanding amount.
Perry's Manager Challenges Subpoena Request
Gudvi has opposed Westcott's request to question Perry and Bloom, arguing that the application is an attempt to harass the former couple. His lawyers also maintain that the remaining purchase money cannot be released while a separate legal dispute remains unresolved.
That dispute concerns a June 2026 order requiring Westcott to pay Gudvi $3,415,257.07, plus interest, in legal fees and costs. Gudvi's lawyers say Westcott is appealing the award and argue that the appeal must be resolved before the remaining purchase money can be released.
The procedural position changed on 8 October 2026, when Judge Joseph Lipner denied Westcott's request for emergency relief, finding that he had not demonstrated an emergency. The judge indicated that Westcott could pursue relief through a standard noticed motion, meaning the emergency application was denied but further proceedings remain possible.
Westcott's lawyers maintain that around $4.06 million remains unpaid following a reported $900,000 payment wired by Gudvi on 30 June 2026. The effect of that payment on the current balance remains a matter to be clarified in the ongoing proceedings.
Whether Perry and Bloom will ultimately be questioned about the disputed balance depends on the next steps in court. The status and outcome of Westcott's legal-fees appeal also remain important to the wider financial dispute, while the timing and circumstances of any further payment are uncertain.
