Katy Perry Grilled in $15 Million Mansion Battle: "I Don't Recall" Defense Under Scrutiny

Pop icon Katy Perry recently found herself under intense scrutiny, testifying remotely in a high-stakes legal battle over a $15 million Santa Barbara mansion. The pop superstar was grilled on her involvement in the attempted purchase of the sprawling estate belonging to 84-year-old veteran Carl Westcott, a man now claiming he lacked the mental capacity to sell.

The contentious lawsuit centers around a 2020 agreement where Westcott, founder of the national car dealerships 1.800.Autowork, signed a contract to sell his picturesque home to Perry’s business manager, Bernie Gudvi.

The property was intended for Perry’s beloved grandmother. However, just days after signing the deal, Westcott sought to rescind, alleging he was heavily under the influence of pain medication following back surgery and was not of sound mind.

Perry's testimony, delivered via video, proved to be a masterclass in brevity, often consisting of a simple "I don't recall" or single-word answers.

She maintained that while she personally desired the home for her grandmother, she was not directly involved in the initial negotiation or the signing of the purchase agreement. Her involvement, she suggested, was more aspirational than transactional in the early stages.

The court heard compelling testimony from Westcott’s son, Cort Westcott, who painted a concerning picture of his father’s state.

Cort described his father experiencing episodes of "paranoia and delusions" around the time the contract was signed, further bolstering the claim of diminished mental capacity. Tragically, Carl Westcott was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder shortly after the attempted sale, adding a poignant layer to the legal proceedings.

The all-cash $15 million deal, initially seen as a straightforward transaction, has spiraled into a complex legal quagmire.

Perry’s legal team is vigorously arguing that Westcott was, in fact, competent at the time of the sale, and that the contract should be upheld. This non-jury trial, currently unfolding, is tasked with determining whether a valid and enforceable contract was ever truly established, or if the circumstances surrounding its signing render it void.

The outcome could have significant implications for both the celebrity and the ailing veteran.