Bizarre lawsuit accuses billionaire Milwaukee Brewers owner of using EXTREME methods to maintain the coastline by his Malibu home
The picturesque coastline of Malibu, California, has become a battleground for billionaires, with neighbor pitted against neighbor in a scramble to save their multi-million dollar homes from tumbling into the sea. At the center of the controversy is financier James Kohlberg, who is suing his neighbor, Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, for allegedly stealing sand from the beach to use as ballast for his own personal sea wall. The lawsuit claims that Attanasio’s actions have not only damaged the beach but also prevented his well-heeled neighbors, including celebrities like Dustin Hoffman, Pierce Brosnan, and Robert DeNiro, from accessing the beach. The dispute has sparked a heated debate about the rights of private property owners versus the public’s right to access the coastline.
The drama began when Attanasio, who recently seized control of England’s Norwich City soccer club, sent his diggers onto the beach to grab sand for his sea wall. Kohlberg, who lives next door, was outraged by the move, describing it as “indecent and offensive to the senses.” The lawsuit claims that Attanasio’s actions have caused significant damage to the beach, including the removal of 35,000 cubic yards of sand per year, which has left the foundations of the homes perilously exposed. The erosion has been a persistent problem in the area, with a consortium of neighbors, including Hoffman, Brosnan, and comedian Ray Romano, coming together in 2015 to fund a $31 million project to protect the beach’s sand. However, the rate of erosion is expected to reach 60,000 cubic yards per year, making the situation increasingly dire.
The dispute between Kohlberg and Attanasio is not an isolated incident. The Malibu coastline has become a hotbed of controversy, with private landowners and the public clashing over access to the beach. Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla has been fighting for over a decade to keep a secluded beach next to his $32.5 million property in Half-Moon Bay private. However, a California state judge recently threw out his bid to stop a lawsuit by the California State Lands Commission and Coastal Commission, which would allow the public to access the beach. The state Constitution guarantees public access to all beaches below the high tide line, but private landowners are not always required to allow access to the coastline across their properties.
The conflict between private property owners and the public is a complex one, with both sides presenting compelling arguments. On the one hand, private landowners like Attanasio and Khosla argue that they have a right to protect their properties and prevent the public from accessing their land. On the other hand, the public argues that the beach is a natural resource that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic status. The California Constitution supports this view, guaranteeing public access to all beaches below the high tide line. However, the law is not always clear-cut, and private landowners often find ways to restrict access to the coastline.
The lawsuit between Kohlberg and Attanasio has sparked a wider debate about the role of private property owners in managing the coastline. While some argue that private landowners have a responsibility to protect the beach and ensure public access, others argue that they are primarily motivated by self-interest. The case has also highlighted the challenges of managing the coastline in the face of climate change and erosion. As the ocean currents continue to scoop away the sand, the foundations of the homes are becoming increasingly precarious, and the dispute between Kohlberg and Attanasio is just one example of the conflicts that are likely to arise as the situation worsens.
As the battle between Kohlberg and Attanasio continues, it is clear that the fate of the Malibu coastline hangs in the balance. The dispute has sparked a heated debate about the rights of private property owners versus the public’s right to access the coastline. While the law is not always clear-cut, one thing is certain: the coastline is a precious resource that must be protected and managed sustainably. As the erosion continues to worsen, it is essential that private landowners, the public, and government agencies work together to find a solution that balances the needs of all parties involved. The future of the Malibu coastline depends on it, and the outcome of the lawsuit between Kohlberg and Attanasio will be closely watched as a precedent for future conflicts over the management of the coastline.
