Katy Perry and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles were awarded $10 million (all figures U.S.) on Monday by a jury that found a real estate developer acted with malice to block the pop star’s purchase of a former convent.
One-third of the money will go to Perry.
“Katy is extremely pleased with the jury’s insight and understanding, and is hopeful that the jury’s decision will pave the way for her to complete the purchase of the property without further interference,” the singer’s attorney Eric Rowen of Greenberg Traurig LLP said in a statement.
The award of punitive damages follows a ruling last month that gave Perry’s company and the Archbishop $5 million for legal costs.
Perry attempted to buy the property, in L.A.’s Los Feliz neighbourhood, from the Archdiocese for $14.5 million in 2015. Before the sale was finalized, the Sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary tried to sell the property to a real estate developer.
The Archdiocese sued, claiming ownership of the Sisters’ assets – and won its case last June.