Bond billionaire Bill Gross faces court over his music habits

“Bond king” Bill Gross is heading to court in California over his music-playing habits â€" again.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Knill ordered the billionaire to show up in court July 28 for a contempt hearing, after his Laguna Beach neighbour Mark Towfiq complained Gross had violated her order to keep the music down.

Gross and Towfiq, a millionaire, both have trophy homes on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. But they have feuded since Towfiq complained about netting over a million-dollar piece of art in Gross’s yard. According to Towfiq, the Pimco co-founder responded by blaring TV sitcom themes, including “Gilligan’s Island,” at all hours of the day.

Bond billionaire Bill Gross has been accused of harassing his neighbour with the “Gilligan’s Island” theme music.Credit:Bloomberg

After a trial that featured nine days of testimony, Knill ruled that what Gross did amounted to harassment. She ordered him to stop playing loud music in his yard when he or his wife weren’t outside and to keep at least 4.5 metres away from their neighbours.

But according to a recent complaint filed by Towfiq, Gross violated the order on July 7, prompting an angry response from Gross’s lawyer, Jill Basinger.

“This latest filing by Mr Towfiq is as outrageous as it is legally dubious,” she said. “He is now using a previous restraining order not to ensure his freedom from harassment, but as a weapon in his perverse obsession with the Grosses.”

The sculpture in Bill Gross’ garden.Credit:Bill Gross and Amy Schwartz

In a recent affidavit answering Towfiq’s complaint, Gross said he and Amy Schwartz, whom he married in April, turned on music “at a quiet level” while swimming after 9 pm on July 7. Gross said he only used “small personal speakers.”

Towfiq called the police though. Laguna Beach police officers came and left without issuing a citation, Gross said, according to court papers.

Source: | This article originally belongs to smh.com.au

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