A jury has found that a businesswoman must pay $5 million (Dh18.3 million) to singer Katy Perry and the archdiocese of Los Angeles, finding that the woman intentionally interfered with the sale to Perry of a hilltop property that was once a convent.
The jury found that entrepreneur Dana Hollister should pay the archdiocese $3.47 million and Perry $1.57 million for interference with contractual relations and other misdeeds.
The 33-year-old pop star has sought to buy the 3.2-hectare property and its Roman-villa style buildings in the city’s Los Feliz neighbourhood for $14.5 million, and to relocate an adjoining house of prayer used by priests. Her bid has the approval of Los Angeles’ archbishop.
But Hollister stepped in and attempted to purchase the property from two nuns who had lived there. A judge voided that sale earlier this year, saying the archdiocese had the right to sell the property, not the nuns.
The jury found that her actions led to Perry and the archdiocese having to pay exorbitant lawyer fees and other costs, which Hollister should get the bill for.
Hollister’s attorneys said in court that she thought she had a correct and legal contract, and intended no harm.
“I don’t think Dana Hollister did anything wrong as to either of these parties,” Geibelson said during the trial.
Perry and the archdiocese are still working out the terms of the sale. The archdiocese needs permission from the Vatican to finalise it.
The trial moves to a second phase in December, when the jury will decide if Hollister should pay punitive damages.
The Sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary have owned the property for more than 40 years, but they haven’t lived in the convent for several years. Only five sisters, who are in their 70s and 80s, remain, and their order has bickered with the archbishop for years on various issues.
They objected to the sale to Perry. The nuns watched the Roar singer’s music videos and met with her, but that only hardened their opposition to her turning their convent into her home.
