Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Real Estate CEO Yells Slurs At Kathy Griffin After Bel-Air Noise Complaint

KB Home CEO Jeffrey Mezger hurled a variety of slurs at Kathy Griffin Saturday night following a noise complaint her partner filed against Mezger. Griffin's boyfriend, Randy Bick, called the Los Angeles Police Department Saturday night in response to excessive noise coming from Mezger's home (Griffin and Mezger are neighbors in a Bel-Air neighborhood). Mezger subsequently called Bick and unleashed a tirade in which he described Griffin as a "bald d**e" and a "c**t."
The Huffington Post released audio footage of the incident, which the publication claims it acquired from Bick via security camera recordings. Mezger called Bick to berate him for filing a noise complaint in regards to a party Mezger hosted for his grandchildren, according to the L.A. Times. Initially the conversation only addresses Bick, but Griffin's voice can be heard asking "What's going on?" halfway through the conversation, after which Mezger addresses Griffin directly, calling her a "bitch." At one point he calls her a "bald d**e" as well, referring to Griffin's decision to shave her head in solidarity with her sister's chemotherapy treatment. Griffin's sister, Joyce, passed away last week.
"Mr. Mezger regrets losing his temper over a supposed noise complaint," a KB Homes spokesperson told the Huffington Post, adding, “[h]e apologizes for the language he used, as it does not reflect who he is or what he believes.”
The rant prompted backlash from figures like Suze Orman, who responded with a tweet chastising Mezger for his actions.
I can't believe this! Disgraceful talk from the CEO of KB HOMES. You really want to buy a home from this man? Beyond Disgusting ! pic.twitter.com/BlM1Fumcce
— suzeormanshow (@SuzeOrmanShow) September 19, 2017
According to the Huffington Post, Griffin and Bick began filing noise complaints fairly quickly after moving into their Bel-Air home last year. They had previously called LAPD five times in response to noise coming from Mezger's property.
Mezger has been CEO of KB Homes since 2006 and became Chairman of the Board in 2016. KB Homes is the sixth-largest publicly-traded homebuilder in the country.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.