Saturday, 12 May 2007

Leonardo DiCaprio's basketball court causes trouble

Renovation project in dispute

Leonardo DiCaprio's construction of a personal basketball court may wind up in another kind of court.

The actor's Los Angeles neighbors, Ronald and Joan Linclau, filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging that DiCaprio's backyard renovation for the recreation area has caused damage to their uphill property since July 2004.

DiCaprio "maliciously" crossed onto the couple's property, cutting and removing hedges, excavating "earth, granite and bedrock," which has destabilized their deck and pool, the Superior Court suit alleges.

The neighbors assert that damages exceed $250,000. They also say DiCaprio ignored their repeated demands to stop construction.

A rep for the actor was not immediately available for comment.