Billionaire Bill Gross Guilty of Contempt for Harassing His Neighbor (Again)
It was déjà vu in Orange County court on Friday, as the billionaire Bill Gross awaited possible punishment for allegedly harassing his Laguna Beach neighbor with loud music (again.) As she took the bench, Judge Kimberly Knill admonished Gross for violating an existing restraining order, calling him “contemptuous,” then handed down her ruling: no more outdoor music, a $1,000 fine, and five days in jail. Gross’ wife, Amy, received an identical sentence.
The Grosses may not actually serve any of that time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The judge is allowing them to perform community service for two of the days, while the other three are being stayed for a year. Barring further infractions, they won’t have to serve them.
Attorneys for the Grosses’ neighbors, Mark Towfiq and Carol Nakahara, had lobbied for jail time.