“Inside the Controversy at Tom Selleck’s 63-Acre Ranch: What Really Happened?”
Tom Selleck’s California avocado farm is a cherished part of his life, but it hasn’t been without its challenges.
The 79-year-old actor has recently spoken about the devastating impact of prolonged droughts on his avocado trees. Despite the hardships, Selleck has shown resilience in his efforts to sustain his farm.
Back in 2015, Selleck found himself embroiled in controversy when he was accused of illegally siphoning water. The Calleguas Municipal Water District in Ventura County, California, alleged that Selleck had diverted about 1.4 million gallons of water over two years. They claimed that a tanker truck was filling up at a local hydrant and delivering the water to Selleck’s ranch during a severe four-year drought. The district even invested $22,000 in a private investigator to confirm the allegations.
The district’s complaint included both Tom and his wife, Jillie, arguing that they were not authorized to draw water from a hydrant outside their district’s boundaries. A resources manager from Calleguas stated, “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.”
Tom and Jillie eventually reached a settlement, agreeing to pay over $21,000 to resolve the issue.
Recently, Tom shared his personal struggle with the drought’s impact on his farm. “It just breaks your heart,” he said, reflecting on the loss of his 100-year-old trees. However, he noted that the recent rains have helped some of the ailing trees show signs of recovery. He enjoys simple pleasures on the ranch, like reading the morning paper and driving his ATV to check on the wildflowers he has planted, which bloom in cycles.
As he nears the end of his long-running role on “Blue Bloods,” Selleck is contemplating his future and his beloved farm. “I hope I keep working enough to hold onto the place,” he told CBS, expressing his desire to maintain his connection to the land.
