Billionaire bond king Bill Gross 'blared the Gilligan's Island theme song on loop' as payback after neighbor complained about $1million blown-glass sculpture on his Laguna Beach lawn
The 'Bond King' billionaire Bill Gross has been accused of blaring the theme song to Gilligan's Island at all hours as payback after a neighbor complained about an elaborate $1 million sculpture on the lawn of his Laguna Beach mansion.
Gross, 71, and his wife, 51-year-old former tennis pro Amy Schwartz, have been engaged in a complicated legal battle with neighbor Mark Towfiq for some time now, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The lawn sculpture appeared last year, stretching nearly 10 feet in height, and was created by renowned blown-glass artist Dale Chihuly, whose work has been displayed in Kew Gardens and the lobby of the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
Gross made his fortune running PIMCO Investment management, and Towfiq is a tech entrepreneur.
Billionaire Gross, 71, and his wife, 51-year-old former tennis pro Amy Schwartz, have been engaged in a complicated legal battle with neighbor Mark Towfiq for some time
Gross' lawn sculpture appeared last year, stretching nearly 10 feet in height, and was created by renowned blown-glass artist Dale Chihuly
Apparently, Towfiq did not have an issue with the glass sculpture until Gross began to install elaborate netting to protect it from 'vandalism' and environmental damage
Gross' mansion is seen center right, and Tofiq's home is seen to its left
Apparently, Towfiq did not have an issue with the glass sculpture until Gross began to install elaborate netting to protect it from 'vandalism' and environmental damage.
Gross and Schwartz in a lawsuit say more than $50,000 damage was caused 'apparently' by a thrown rock and is evidence of an 'escalating campaign of vandalism,' according to the Times.
Towfiq and his wife said the sculpture was probably damaged by something falling on it, and protested that the netting blocked their views.
The dispute prompted Towfiq to call the city, which inspected the property and sent Gross a letter on July 28 informing him that the netting, lighting and sculpture lacked the proper permits - and the quarrel has only escalated since then.
Towfiq in a lawsuit accused Gross of blaring loud music, including the Gilligan's Island theme song, for hours on end, forcing he and his wife to seek refuge in a hotel.
When he asked Gross to turn the music down, Towfiq's lawsuit claims Gross replied in a text message: 'Peace on all fronts or well just have nightly concerts big boy.'
Gross' wife, former pro tennis star Amy Schwartz, said of the sculpture: 'Since I have no children of my own, they are like my babies'
'Defendant William Gross is a 76-year-old billionaire used to getting his way no matter what. As proven by their behavior here, Gross and his decades-younger-girlfriend, defendant Amy Schwartz, are bullies,' Towfiq's lawsuit states.
Gross and Schwartz filed their own lawsuit, accusing Towfiq of creepy and obsessive behavior, including installing cameras directed at their property and 'peeping tom behaviors.'
'Defendent Towfiq appears to have a particular fascination not only with Mr. Gross but also Ms. Schwartz, particularly when the pair are swimming and thus wearing minimal, if any, clothing,' states the lawsuit.
In a statement, Schwartz said the dispute was 'very upsetting' to her because the sculpture was bought for her by Gross because her mother is ill.
Towfiq says the gaudy netting and nighttime illumination ruin his seaside views
'Since I have no children of my own, they are like my babies. My mother, who has Alzheimer's, and I pray to them and she enjoys looking at them because it's her favorite color and makes her smile,' she said in the statement.
Schwartz said that she and Gross are the 'best neighbors' because they are only at home for five days a month, five months out of the year.
Towfiq alleges that the couple are using remote controls to turn on the blaring music, which he claims plays even when they are obviously not at home.
Gross purchased the Laguna Beach mansion, dubbed Rockledge-by-the-Sea, for $32 million in 2018.
Towfiq built his dream home on the lot next door after purchasing it in 2009 and winning a protracted legal battle with another neighbor who claimed the project would impede coastal access.