US billionaire Bill Gross and neighbour fight over lawn sculpture, ‘Gilligan’s Island’ song played loud on loop
- Disagreement stems from 7-metre-long sculpture that is covered by a large netting structure
- Both sides have launched legal action, made accusations of harassment and ‘peeping’ behaviours
A dispute between bond king Bill Gross and his next-door neighbour over a US$1 million outdoor sculpture has devolved into police calls to their Laguna Beach, California, mansions, multiple legal actions – and allegations that the billionaire investor blared the Gilligan's Island theme song on a loop at all hours to annoy his neighbour.
The 76-year-old Pimco co-founder and his partner, former professional tennis player Amy Schwartz, are being accused by tech entrepreneur Mark Towfiq and his wife of harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The cause? An almost 7-metre-long blue glass installation – and an even bigger pole and netting structure erected to protect it – that Towfiq said blocked his view, prompting a complaint to the city.
It's another in a long line of bitter quarrels between well-to-do neighbours in Southern California's most expensive neighbourhoods, who sometimes find that with a coveted address comes deep-pocketed adversaries and little peace of mind.
At issue this time is an artwork that can be lit at night and features cobalt-coloured reeds stretching nearly 3 metres in height, swimming marlin and round objects inspired by traditional blown-glass Japanese fishing floats. It was created by Dale Chihuly, an artist whose striking blown-glass work adorns the ceiling of the Bellagio hotel's lobby in Las Vegas.
The lawn sculpture was installed in 2019 and in itself appeared not to foment any trouble. The dispute began when Gross and Schwartz installed netting this year to protect the work after it was damaged, according to legal filings and city records.
The neighbour's lawsuit accuses the billionaire and his partner of playing blaring music at all hours, including the Gilligan's Island theme song, rap and pop, in an effort to force him to drop the complaint. The couple say they had to take refuge twice with either relatives or in a hotel room. In an application for a temporary restraining order filed October 15, which was granted, Towfiq cites a text message allegedly sent to him by Gross after he asked the music to be turned down: “Peace on all fronts or well (sic) just have nightly concerts big boy”.