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new twist has emerged in the five-year legal battle between Katy Perry and ailing war veteran Carl Westcott, who claims he was forced to surrender his $US15 million ($A22 million) California mansion to the pop star. Documents have revealed that Orlando Bloom, Perry's ex-fiancé, is actually the real owner of the Montecito property.

    According to courtroom testimony, Perry's business manager Bernie Gudvi confirmed that Bloom purchased the mansion through a limited liability company in May 2024. A document filed with the California Office of the Secretary of State shows that Bloom and two of his business managers formed an LLC on May 10, 2024, with Perry's name absent from the letter.

    The deed to the Montecito estate was transferred to the LLC the same month, and in August 2024, the company took out a $US4.95 million ($A7.6 million) loan against the house from City National Bank. During cross-examination, Gudvi admitted that Perry had no interest in the property since its purchase.

    Perry is scheduled to take the stand on Tuesday, coinciding with her daughter's 5th birthday. Her team has been accused of "strategizing" to keep Bloom's ownership of the property from being questioned in court. Judge Joseph Lipner rejected a request to call Bloom as a witness, saying it would put Westcott at a disadvantage.

    The legal saga dates back to 2020 when Perry entered into a contract with Westcott to purchase his Montecito home for $US15 million ($A22 million). However, Westcott reneged on the agreement due to health issues and claimed he was not in his right mind. Perry's team argued that Westcott had been of sound mind when he consented to the sale.

    After years of legal wrangling, Judge Lipner ruled in 2023 that the original sale contract should be upheld. Perry has since countersued Westcott for damages and lost rental income, prompting his family to label her "entitled" and lacking empathy.