Forster Mansion Property Dispute Settled

The owners of the will reclaim the historic property, leased to a wedding planner who until recently hosted events there.

One week after, an Orange County Superior Court judge ordered a Writ of Possession in favor of the land owners, Phillip and Maryanne Charis.

The owners of the wedding business, Peter Evans and Arpi Evans will yield possession and control of the property no later than Dec. 5, in part, settling the Charises' claim that the Evans were unrightfully retaining possession of the property.

When the unlawful detainer suit was filed against the Evans in August 2010, the Charis alleged that they were owed $148,000 in past-due rent.

As part of their two-year lease there, the Evans had an option agreement to purchase the mansion, but that expired in May. In a fraud suit she filed in March against the Charises, Arpi Evans reported putting two down payments of $30,000 and $70,000, respectively, on the property.

Whether the Evans owe rent money, attorneys fees and other money damages to the Charises will be determined by a judge Jan. 20.

Both parties agreed that no public events of any kind will take place at the property and that there will be no public access to the interior of the Forster Mansion until Dec. 5.

In a letter dated Oct. 31, Arpi Evans informed the San Juan Capistrano City Council that she was no longer operating the events business at the mansion at 27182 Ortega Hwy. The council was set to hear her appeal of a recent Planning Commission decision to