Billionaire Brewers owner Mark Attanasio ordered to give up $2million property after Malibu ‘stolen’ sand dispute. Here's what happened

Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio has been ordered to dedicate a multimillion-dollar beachfront property in Malibu for public use. The settlement was approved by the California Coastal Commission after his company was accused of illegally removing sand, rocks and boulders from Broad Beach, reports The New York Post.

The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve the agreement involving Attanasio’s company, 2XMD Partners LLC. The settlement also requires the company to restore the damaged shoreline and remove structures that officials said interfered with public access.

ALSO READ: WoW Forever announced at BlizzCon 2026

Why is Mark Attanasio giving up a $2 million Malibu property?

Under the settlement, 2XMD Partners will dedicate a roughly $2 million oceanfront parcel in eastern Malibu for public use. The property is near Big Rock Beach, about 14 miles east of Attanasio’s Broad Beach mansion. The parcel covers about 5,135 square feet and has roughly 70 feet of beach frontage, according to the Los Angeles Times. It previously contained a three-unit building that was destroyed in the Palisades fire.

The land will ultimately be preserved for recreational use. Specific plans for the property will be determined after it is transferred to a public agency. “This is the right resolution,” Coastal Commission Deputy Chief of Enforcement Aaron McLendon said during Thursday's public hearing.

What happened at Mark Attanasio’s Malibu mansion?

The dispute dates back to 2024, when construction work at Attanasio's Broad Beach property came under scrutiny.

According to the Coastal Commission, 2XMD Partners used heavy machinery to excavate sand, cobble stones and boulders from sensitive coastal habitat at Broad Beach. The agency said the material was taken from a marine protected area and used to backfill a seawall near Attanasio's property.

The work became particularly controversial because Broad Beach has already faced significant erosion and sand loss. Photos included in court documents showed excavators working along the narrow shoreline and digging into the beach. The Coastal Commission said the excavation damaged sensitive habitat and that an unpermitted private staircase and rock wall also restricted public access along the coast.

ALSO READ: American Airlines passenger strips, behaves indecently on flight to Miami International Airport

Billionaire neighbor James Kohlberg sued Attanasio

The controversy began with a lawsuit from Attanasio's next-door neighbor, billionaire investor James Kohlberg, in 2024. Kohlberg alleged that Attanasio's construction operation had taken sand from the public beach for use at his property. His father, Jerome Kohlberg, was one of the co-founders of private-equity giant KKR.

“This case is about a private property owner using a public beach as their own personal sandbox and the disturbing conversion of a public natural resource (i.e., sand from Broad Beach) for a nearby homeowner’s personal, private use,” the lawsuit stated, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The lawsuit helped trigger the Coastal Commission's investigation into the construction work. Attanasio's company had obtained permits for work on the seawall at his nearly $30 million Malibu property.

However, the Coastal Commission's investigation focused on whether the construction work went beyond what those permits allowed, including the use of heavy machinery in the tidal zone and removal of material from the public beach.

When the lawsuit was filed, Attanasio said he and his company had acted in 100% compliance with their permits, according to the Los Angeles Times. The new settlement now requires the company to restore the shoreline and return sand as part of the resolution.

ALSO READ: Former CIA official found with $40 million in gold bars reaches tentative plea deal: What happened to David Rush and what prosecutors say he stole

The striking part of the settlement is that instead of simply resolving the matter through a monetary payment, Attanasio's company will dedicate an entire beachfront parcel for public use. “The property that would be dedicated to the public is incredibly unique.”

Coastal Commission Executive Director Kate Huckelbridge also described the agreement as an important opportunity for public access. “This is a rare opportunity to secure beach access for the public in Malibu,” Huckelbridge said.

“I’m grateful to all involved for turning a bad situation into a major win for Californians.” The Coastal Commission said the agreement is particularly significant because beachfront property in Malibu is extremely expensive and much of the shoreline is lined with private homes.

FAQs

Who is Mark Attanasio?

Mark Attanasio is the billionaire owner of the Milwaukee Brewers and the owner of the Malibu property involved in the beach dispute.

Why did Mark Attanasio face a Malibu beach dispute?

His company, 2XMD Partners LLC, was accused of using heavy machinery to remove sand, rocks and boulders from Broad Beach to reinforce a seawall at his Malibu mansion.

What happens to the $2 million Malibu property?

As part of the settlement, Attanasio’s company will dedicate the beachfront property for public use and restore the damaged shoreline.

Who sued Mark Attanasio?

Billionaire investor James Kohlberg, Attanasio’s neighbor, sued him in 2024 over the alleged removal of sand from Broad Beach.