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EXCLUSIVE
Showbiz

MAKE IT RIGHT Brad Pitt su4ers huge blow in messy $20.5m legal
Dght with Hurricane Katrina victims after star sued over shoddy
homes
The actor's foundation built 109 houses but many were allegedly not :t for purpose

Katy Forrester Chris White

Published: 16:28, 22 Mar 2025 Updated: 16:56, 22 Mar 2025

BRAD Pitt and his housing charity have been forced to hand over
100,000 sensitive documents in their bitter seven-year legal Eght with
angry homeowners.

Victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans - who allegedly had faulty

homes built by Brad's Make It Right Foundation - are suing the actor Olygee
personally and his nonpro:t in a class action lawsuit.

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10
Brad Pitt seen in 2007 at a press conference about his plans to spend $12 million
with his 'Make It Right Project' to build 150 ecologically sustainable homes
Credit: AFP

10
One home built by Make It Right is seen with large green marks on the exterior as
many residents have complained Credit: NBC NEWS

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One of the homes built by Brad Pitt’s Make It Right project pictured in 2010
Credit: AFP

The homeowners' legal team, Ron Austin Law, has scored a huge victory
through the district court for Make It Right to hand over vital docs at the
discovery stage.

The U.S. Sun can also reveal that Brad, 61, had been trying to block having
to face deposition, moaning that it clashed with his busy movie schedule.

Brad was named on Ron Austin's witness list - but his legal team :led a
motion for him to avoid being deposed, claiming he had no information
to oUer that would be relevant.

His lawyers claimed in :lings, "Mr Pitt's motion picture production

schedule presents concerns that extend beyond his personal time and
attention.

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"Most notably, Mr Pitt's absence from :lm production in the event of a

deposition could cause major scheduling issues with potential legal and
:nancial consequences for the studio.

"In addition, it is likely Mr Pitt will be on location in Europe over the next
several months, meaning that any in-person deposition will involve costly
and time-consuming travel."

This motion was :led in April last year but hasn't been published by a
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Make It Right lawyers had demanded more time to review the

foundation's documents and computers.

They included "approximately 195 boxes, 13 :ling cabinets, the IT server,

and 13 desktops and laptops. These contents :ll three rooms," according to
court docs seen by The U.S. Sun.

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Now, we can disclose that Ron Austin Law was reportedly given 70,000
documents, plus a further 30,000 pages of :nancial information by the
defendants.

Ron Austin Law is now seeking to engage forensic accountants - and has
already hired architectural and engineering experts to help with their
case.

There is set to be a status conference next month with the legal war
grinding on with no realistic end in sight. Enjoy the perfect stay in London

AMBITIOUS PROJECT BOOK NOW

Brad's nonpro:t built 109 houses in the deprived Lower Ninth Ward in
New Orleans after it was decimated by Hurricane Katrina.
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products", according to the suit.

It was initially :led by two residents in 2018, Lloyd Francis and Jennifer SCARY FALL BBC
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Locals have complained of "toxic mold and high CO2 levels" in the past,
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10
Brad Pitt attends a press conference for the Global Green USA’s Erst house project
in the 9th ward district on August 21, 2007 Credit: Getty

10
One of the walls of the homes seperating Credit: NBC NEWS

10
Mold along the outside of one of the homes Credit: NBC NEWS

'BRAD NOT OFF THE HOOK'

A lawyer close to the litigation previously told The U.S. Sun, "This is
obviously a very didcult situation for anyone whose home was impacted
by this.

"This very sad story has been told several times, so hopefully current
litigation will hold the people who managed this project responsible."

A judge previously denied Brad's request to remove himself

as a defendant in the lawsuit - meaning he could still be potentially liable
for damages.

In the last few years, Make It Right has been non-existent in the area, as its
city and Lower Ninth odces closed down years ago, all communication
lines are dead, and they've become invisible to residents.

In 2022, it seemed the lawsuit had reached a conclusion when the celeb-
backed eco-charity Global Green agreed to pay a $20.5 million settlement
on behalf of Make It Right and Brad.

That pledge fell apart, as it was discovered Global Green never had that
sort of money and was banking on Brad to be the :gurehead of a major
fundraising campaign for the settlement - but he denied ever agreeing to
this.

A spokesperson for Brad told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement in

2023, "Brad had supported Global Green many years ago, so when they
approached his team stating '$20.5M in funding' had been secured by
their 'generous donors,' there was interest in considering their proposal.

"Global Green represented themselves as having already obtained these

funds and planned to use them toward resolving all claims in the ongoing
lawsuit for the bene:t of the homeowners.

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"It was incredibly surprising for the plaintiUs, the defendants, and their
counsel to learn that the funds Global Green claimed multiple times were
secured had not in fact been committed or raised.

"It was equally disappointing to discover payment was not made, though
the settlement agreement was speci:cally negotiated to ensure that
litigation would continue without prejudice to any parties if the
settlement were to fail."

10
A New Orleans resident inspects one of the homes built by the Make It Right
Foundation Credit: NBC NEWS

10
Brad Pitt greets resident Robert Green (L) during a press conference in 2007
Credit: AFP

10
Brad Pitt seen with Bill Clinton while they greet volunteers and break ground back
in 2009 for homes in the Lower Ninth Ward Credit: AP

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