This week, the Milwaukee Brewers are up against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Wisconsin, but owner Mark Attanasio might find his focus shifting to a different coast—California, to be exact.
Attanasio, the billionaire owner of the Brewers, has found himself in hot water after his Malibu neighbor, James Kohlberg, filed a lawsuit accusing him of illegally removing sand from Broad Beach. This action, as stated in the suit, supposedly violates the California Coastal Act.
The complaint argues that “this case is about a private property owner using a public beach as their own personal sandbox,” essentially claiming Attanasio is converting a natural resource for private gain. You can read the full suit here.
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Filed on August 8 in Los Angeles County, the lawsuit claims that Attanasio has had a construction team removing sand from the beach for several weeks, with Kohlberg even capturing evidence of the activity on film.
However, Attanasio’s attorney, Kenneth Ehrlich, insists their actions are legitimate, stating that Attanasio’s company, 2XMD, is conducting an emergency repair to a seawall, fully permitted by local authorities. “All necessary permits have been secured,” Ehrlich commented, clarifying the situation.
Interestingly, this legal dispute sheds light on the complex dynamics among wealthy Malibu residents. Among them, Attanasio’s profile is particularly notable, given his ownership of a major sports franchise located 2,000 miles away.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Broad Beach has faced serious erosion due to storms and erosion, prompting high-profile residents, including Dustin Hoffman and Pierce Brosnan, to invest in a $31-million restoration project back in 2015 to replenish the sand.
Among the suit’s claims, Kohlberg alleges that Attanasio’s company engaged in unauthorized activities that disrupt the protected tidal zone, raising environmental concerns about the use of heavy equipment that could affect marine life.
The lawsuit even includes allegations of private nuisance, suggesting that the construction activities are “indecent and offensive to the senses,” showcasing the classic NIMBY mindset of wealthy beach homeowners.
Attanasio purchased his Malibu home for $23 million in 2007 and acquired an adjacent lot for $6.6 million a decade later, marking his significant investment in the area.