Tom Selleck, who has been accused of stealing water from hydrants in drought-stricken California, purchased the water he allegedly swiped, it was revealed this week.
The “Magnum, P.I.” star was sued by the Calleguas Municipal Water District in Thousand Oaks as the district argued a tanker truck filled itself at a hydrant and took it to Selleck’s 60-acre ranch more than a dozen times
during the past two years, The Associated Press reported.
Calleguas argued that Selleck continued to steal water even after two
cease-and-desist letters were sent, its attorneys told CNN.
A tentative settlement between the two parties was announced by the district Thursday. It is scheduled to be discussed for approval by the water board this week.
Public Works Director for Thousand Oaks Jay Spurgin confirmed to the AP that a construction company paid for the rights to take water from the city’s hydrant two years ago. Some 1.4 million gallons were drawn during those years.
“There was water used during that time, and it was paid for,” Spurgin said.
Construction companies and firms may obtain meters to haul water from fire hydrants for large projects. They can take as much water as they need and sell it to others so long as the monthly service charge and water bills are paid, according to Spurgin.
The meter for this particular hydrant was removed in June.
It remains unclear if Selleck purchased water from the company or another source.
The water district spent nearly $22,000 for the investigation, the AP reported.
California is currently struggling through a drought. The area where Selleck resides is under mandated cutbacks by up to 36 percent.
Selleck is not the only celebrity to have experienced “drought shaming.”
The New York Post’s Page Six called out Kim Kardashian, Barbra Streisand, and others for their green lawns in the midst of the crippling dry season.
Social media users discussed the #droughtshaming of Tom Selleck:
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