Squatters graffiti second vacant LA mansion owned by son of Philadelphia Phillies owner
A Los Angeles mansion defaced by taggers is reportedly the second home to be covered in graffiti belonging to the son of a Major League Baseball team owner.
Photos and drone footage captured the the walls of the multi-story property in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood engulfed in spray-paint on Tuesday.
The home, which has been vacant for years, is five miles south of another property owned by Philadelphia Phillies owner John S. Middleton's son, according to local stations KNBC and KABC. Reports state that the home, belonging to 40-year-old producer John Powers Middleton, has been unoccupied for years, attracting squatters and creating safety concerns for the neighborhood.
Councilmember Nithya Raman, who represents the district the properties encompass, confirmed the two homes were owned by the same individual but did not state who the owner was. In a statement to USA TODAY Tuesday, Raman said the owner was "in egregious violation of the law" and said the Department of Building and Safety is working to swiftly to assess and implement security measures.
"This is a public safety issue with serious consequences for both neighbors and the surrounding community. Irresponsible property owners must take accountability for their property or face action from the city," Raman said in the statement.
USA TODAY has reached out to the Philadelphia Phillies and representatives for John Powers Middleton for comment, and to the Los Angeles Police Department for additional information.
Violent incidents reported by squatter
The vacant property has become home to several violent incidents in recent years.
One resident recalled when a squatter was attacking a neighbor with a steel rebar and a beer bottle, according to KABC. The station reported that police have occasionally escorted people out of the property, only for the building to be reoccupied hours later by squatters who spend the night inside.
LA police arrested an armed man in January 2022 for illegally living in the property with his dog, KABC reported. In August 2023, police arrived at the property when its walls were completely covered in graffiti and furniture was found in the pool.
Recent drone footage showed the property was cleaned up and painted just for taggers' work to reappear Monday night, according to KABC.
In 2014, the Department of Building and Safety issued a notice for overgrown or excessive vegetation, KNBC reported. Since August 2022, there have been at least eight abandoned or vacant building notices.
Who is John Powers Middleton?
John Powers Middleton, 40, is a film producer and the son of John S. Middleton, who owns the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Philadelphia native has been credited for his work on films like 2014's "The Lego Movie" and 2016's "Manchester by the Sea," as well as TV shows like "Bates Motel," according to IMDb.
The home solely belongs to John Powers Middleton, a Phillies spokesperson confirmed to KNBC.
He has reportedly purchased the Hollywood Hills home in 2012, KNBC reported. In October 2022, the LA Department of Building and Safety declared the property a nuisance and mandated that Middleton build a fence. City workers ended up building the fence itself when he did not in an effort to prevent squatters from entering.
The Italian villa-style mansion was built in 2008. Its listing states that it features six bedrooms, a screening room, an indoor and outdoor pool as well as a wine room.