The son of a billionaire baseball team owner has apologized after two of his multimillion-dollar mansions in Los Angeles became eyesores covered in graffiti and overrun by squatters.
John Powers Middleton, 40, whose father owns the Philadelphia Phillies, has come under fire as his luxury properties descended into chaos.
The Sunset Plaza mansion, once a beautiful home with three pools and a helipad, is now defaced with graffiti, leaving only a shell of its former glory.
After facing growing backlash, Middleton finally broke her silence and said The New York Post: ‘I would like to apologize to the people of Los Angeles, and especially to my neighbors. What happened to the two properties I own is unacceptable and, regardless of the cause, I own the houses.’
Middleton has humiliatedly apologized after two of her multimillion-dollar mansions in Los Angeles became eyesores covered in graffiti and overrun by squatters.
John Powers Middleton (pictured right), 40, whose father owns the Philadelphia Phillies, has come under fire as his luxury properties descend into chaos.
But the Sunset Plaza property is not 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 police were called to the site six times in September alone.
Middleton told the outlet that in an effort to stop the squatters, he called in armed guards to patrol the properties 24/7, while multiple crews work around the clock to repair the damage. .
‘Both homes have had a property manager and/or security, including vehicle security. “We have detected or thwarted numerous robbery attempts,” he added.
“But the attackers, especially the squatters, have been relentless and our security personnel were overwhelmed.”
But his efforts haven’t made much difference, he insisted.
‘I am disappointed to note that although I worked this week to paint over the graffiti, vandals managed to get in and paint over the freshly cleaned walls. Given the persistence of the numerous intruders, it is a struggle,” he said.
“No one in Los Angeles should have to endure 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 has to happen?
The second house received fresh paint, but days later it was vandalized again with new graffiti.
Other area residents told the outlet that the vandalism is a “reflection of America’s decline.”
Los Angeles Councilwoman Nithya Raman’s office said Middleton was in “flagrant violation of the law” after mishandling the properties.
The second house was vandalized just this week. It was the second multi-story mansion in the area to be attacked by vandals; both were owned by John Powers Middleton.
The first property, where alleged sex offender Sean Combs once filmed a music video, was labeled “Diddy was here.”
The second house received fresh paint, according to the outlet, only to be vandalized again with new graffiti days later.
Over the years, the properties have become an eyesore for nearby residents, as well as a safety issue.
Neighborhood resident Marina Mizruh said neighbors had complained many times about the property.
An armed squatter was arrested in January 2022 and then again in August 2023, but more squatters destroyed the property, prompting more police visits, it was reported. KABC.
‘We had squatters, and more squatters, and then graffiti and more graffiti. What has to happen? “I think the city should eventually take back the house and tear it down,” he said. NBC.
The other mansion owned by the family has also been defaced
Los Angeles Councilwoman Nithya Raman’s office said Middleton was committing a “flagrant violation of the law” after mishandling the properties.
A lien had been issued on the home tagged for $6.53 million after Middleton defaulted on property taxes, the New York Post reported.
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety also ordered Middleton to build a fence and secure the property, which, after he failed to do so, resulted in the city building a fence, NBC reported.
Other area residents told the outlet that the vandalism is a “reflection of America’s decline,” as property tagging has increased even more in recent years.
An armed squatter was arrested in January 2022 and then again in August 2023, but more squatters destroyed the property, prompting more police visits.