Netflix’s Selling Sunset celebrity, Jason Oppenheim, is facing legal action, including charges of fraud and breach of contract, initiated by advertising magnate Philip Berardi. Berardi alleges that he unearthed “profoundly disturbing revelations” regarding a $5 million mansion he purchased from Oppenheim. The lawsuit, which also names Oppenheim’s real estate firm, Oppenheim Group, among others, contends that the six-bathroom, three-bedroom residence required $1.7 million in repairs due to undisclosed issues.
The legal complaint accuses Oppenheim of “fraud and concealment” and making “intentional misrepresentations” during the property sale, with Berardi asserting that the reality TV star was “fully aware” of the house’s problems. Berardi, the President and CEO of Regency Outdoor Advertising, reportedly began noticing issues shortly after moving into the mansion, particularly after two significant storms.
Netflix Star Jason Oppenheim Faces Lawsuit (Credits: The Hollywood Reporter)
According to the lawsuit, water leaked from all bedroom ceilings during the initial storm, and as repairs were underway, a second storm exacerbated the damage, exposing additional leaks in the master bedroom. Mold was discovered under plywood decks above the master bedroom due to the property’s defective conditions. The legal filing noted efforts to address water damage, such as a large bowl overflowing with water and a gutter in the master bedroom ceiling apparently installed to capture water from a leaking defective deck.
Additional peculiarities were highlighted, including blue painter’s tape securing rags under the hot water tank to conceal a previously noted leak. The accumulated water damage led to “termite infestations” and “severe dry-rot damage” to the deck. The lawsuit contends that the property’s condition was inaccurately disclosed at the time of purchase, causing Berardi “severe distress, financial burden, and uncertainty regarding the safety” of his significant investment.
The legal filing asserts that the defendants knowingly, intentionally, and willfully engaged in misconduct, acting in reckless disregard of the potential to cause severe mental distress. Berardi’s attorney emphasized the expectation of full disclosure in real estate transactions, especially when involving licensed and reputable brokers, as mandated by California law.
