LOS ANGELES (KNX News) — Neighbors have had it with the owner of a once-beautiful, multimillion-dollar mansion, now abandoned and derelict, high up in the Hollywood Hills. The property belongs to movie producer John Powers Middleton, son of John S. Middleton, owner of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Mulholland Drive home is boarded up. Windows are shattered. Squatters and vandals have invaded and completely covered it with graffiti. Neighbors say it's now an eyesore.
One local, Mateo Herreros, says he recently sent Middleton a message on Instagram: "John Powers Middleton, come clean your house."
Residents say the problems with the property, valued at around $5 million, began about two years ago.
"This is really tragic. This is a fire hazard for us. We don't have a fire season. We live in fire season," said Pat Johnston, who lives in the area. "So, getting things taken care of in a safe and considerate way would be wonderful. There was a rumor they would tear this house down, and I'd like that."
Johnson says Middleton has another neglected home in the city, on Sunset Plaza Drive, and neighbors want the elder Middleton to know what is happening at his son's properties — and to do something about it.
Los Angeles police have been out to the home to chase away the squatters and taggers.
"When the helicopters were flying overhead, we could hear, from the loudspeaker, them yelling at the people," said Herreros. "And all of a sudden, as soon as the loudspeaker came on, four or five people that were in the house scurried away like ants."
The locals have reached out to L.A. City Councilwoman Nithya Raman several times. In a statement, she says her office has been in contact with the LAPD and inspectors with the city's Building and Safety Department.
Raman says he's violating the law and creating a public safety issue, and city officials are now threatening legal action.
In a statement, a Phillies spokesperson said, "The California properties are owned by John Powers Middleton. No other members of the Middleton family have ownership, investment, control or involvement in these properties."