Tom Selleck Accused Of Water Theft In Bizarre Avocado Farm Scandal After 4-Year Long Drought
Tom Selleck's cherished California avocado farm is a source of pride for the 79-year-old — but was not devoid of turmoil. Recently, he shared his anguish over the devastation caused by years of drought, leading to the demise of his beloved trees.
However, well before his candid revelation, Selleck had been vigorously defending his avocado orchard and oak trees, even embroiling himself in controversy in the process.
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In 2015, he faced accusations of water theft on a significant scale.
The Calleguas Municipal Water District in Ventura County, California, accused the 'Runaway' actor of pilfering around 1.4 million gallons of water over a span of two years.
Allegations surfaced that a tanker truck had been surreptitiously siphoning water from a nearby hydrant to irrigate Selleck's ranch during a prolonged and severe four-year drought. The district pursued legal recourse against the actor, going as far as expending $22,000 on a private investigator to ascertain whether he had unlawfully obtained water beyond district boundaries.
According to their assertions, a white truck was observed replenishing water from a hydrant in Thousand Oaks on multiple occasions and transporting it to his expansive ranch.
Selleck and his wife, Jillie, were implicated in the complaint for purportedly procuring water from a hydrant situated in a distinct water district.
During that period, a resources manager for the Calleguas Municipal Water District remarked: "Our 630,000 customers are ripping out their lawns, drastically cutting back on the water they use. The water that we have secured for them, that they have paid for, should remain in district boundaries." Ultimately, the couple reportedly opted to settle the matter by agreeing to pay a sum exceeding $21,000.
The Detroit native shared insights about the heartbreaking experience of losing his century-old trees to drought.
He told PEOPLE how it "Just breaks your heart...But with the rain we've had, the sick ones are getting better, and they're all sprouting a lot of healthy growth."
He described his favorite ranch activities as reading the morning paper and cruising around on his ATV to inspect the wildflowers. "I've planted them for years and they bloom in cycles," he stated.
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As the Hollywood veteran concludes his tenure on CBS' 'Blue Bloods,' he's already contemplating his future and the place he calls home.
"You know, hopefully I keep working enough to hold onto the place," he told CBS regarding his residence on the farm.
Correspondent Tracy Smith inquired, "Seriously, that's an issue? If you stopped working?"
"That's always an issue. If I stopped working, yeah," Selleck replied. "Am I set for life? Yeah, but maybe not on a 63-acre ranch!"
