M
ark Attanasio, the owner of the Milwaukee Brewers and managing partner of Crescent Capital Group, has been accused of stealing beachfront sand near his homes on Malibu's Broad Beach. The California Coastal Commission cited him twice in 16 years for pilfering sand from public beaches to repair a damaged seawall at one of his properties. Attanasio denied any wrongdoing.

    In August, a neighbor, KKR Chairman James Kohlberg, accused Attanasio of stealing sand and hauling it back to his property. The Coastal Commission subsequently sent Attanasio's lawyer a notice of violation, stating that contractors working on his beach house had illegally excavated sand and operated heavy machinery within state tidelands.

    The commission also claimed that the construction project impaired public access to the beach, depleted its sand, and threatened harm to marine resources. The notice demanded that Attanasio stop unpermitted development and resolve the violations, which could include a monetary settlement.

    This is not Attanasio's first alleged sand heist. In 2008, the Coastal Commission notified him of similar infractions at another beach house he owned half a mile away. He was accused of building an illegal seawall, planting invasive plant species, and impeding public access to the beach. Attanasio sold that property last year for $23.6 million.

    The incident has sparked criticism from neighboring homeowners, including A-list stars like Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman. Tim McGinity, an attorney representing Kohlberg, praised the Coastal Commission's actions, saying they validate the idea that "the beach cannot and should not be treated as a personal sandbox."