Johnny Depp Sues Over Ruined Views  5/1/06

Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp is suing West Hollywood, Los Angeles, for authorizing construction which will obstruct views from his Hollywood Hills mansion. The actor, who divides his time between France and Los Angeles, is furious over plans to build a massive retail complex on Sunset Boulevard that would ruin the views from his $5.4 million estate. 

Depp alleges in the lawsuit that the city violated environmental-quality laws by approving a development of retail shops, a restaurant and a parking lot beneath his gated estate. He claims that the project would block the view his two children, Lily-Rose, six, and Jack, four, enjoy while playing outside the home. Backers of the development dispute Depp's claims, arguing he has been very vocal about raising his children in France, where he lives with French actress and singer Vanessa Paradis. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled against Depp last year (05).

The case is being appealed on his behalf by his sister, Christi Dembrowski, who is also his personal assistant and president of his film production company. According to developer Joseph Emrani, the dispute has delayed the start of the $10 million project for over a year.