A water district in the US has sued the actor Tom Selleck, claiming he stole water from a public hydrant for use on his 60-acre ranch.
The alleged thefts, which date over a two year period, have been investigated by a private detective commissioned by the Calleguas Municipal Water District in Ventura County, California, and led to a lawsuit filed on 30 June. This follows a ruling that California communities must cut water use by 25% as the four-year drought affecting the state continues.
The suit doesn’t specify how much water Selleck and his wife, Jillie, who is also named, are accused of siphoning. But there are claims that a tanker truck filled up at a hydrant more than a dozen times. From there, is it said to have driven to the Sellecks’ ranch, and was reportedly spotted doing so as recently as March, despite cease-and-desist letters.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department also investigated and was unable to establish that a crime occurred.
In an interview in 2012, Selleck said that it was “hard to make a living, let alone a profit” from his 20-acres of avocados. He also said that he himself isn’t a fan of the fruit. “Honestly, they make me gag. But it’s just as well. I’ll sell my portion.”
