A second California mansion owned and abandoned by the son of a billionaire has been blanketed in graffiti after his other property — where alleged sex trafficker Sean Combs once shot a music video — was tagged with “Diddy was here.”
The neglected houses are both owned by John Powers Middleton, the son of businessman and Philadelphia Phillies owner John S. Middleton, and have been taken over by different squatters over the years, KABC reported.
The properties, one on Sunset Plaza and one on Mulholland Drive, have become an eyesore in the affluent Hollywood Hills neighborhood — as well as a security concern, neighbors said.
And nothing seems to keep the vandals away.
The second home, on Sunset Plaza, was given a fresh coat of paint last week only to be retagged with new graffiti by Monday, according to KABC.
And the problem has been happening for years.
An armed man was squatting in the Sunset Plaza mansion with his dog before he was arrested in January 2022 and in August 2023, more squatters destroyed the property prompting another visit from police, the local news station reported.
The house was once cherished and thoughtfully constructed and taken care of, with the original owner obsessing over every detail — including three swimming pools and a helipad, neighbors said.
“It’s tragic,” Alexander Gorbis, who was friends with the previous owner’s son, told KABC. “I [virtually] grew up in that house. I saw it when it was very small, and there wasn’t too much to it. I grew up with the son of the previous builder – and to see how it is now is just beyond words.”
Middelton’s other property is estimated to be worth $6.53 million and a lien has been issued on it after he defaulted on property taxes. Ten people were removed from the home earlier this month and cops have been called to the property six times in September.
The local council member told the station that Middleton “is in egregious violation of the law” based on his poor handling of the properties.
“This is a public safety issue with serious consequences for both neighbors and the surrounding community,” Councilmember Nithya Raman said in a statement. “Irresponsible property owners must take accountability for their property or face action from the city.”
