Actor Tom Selleck Settles Water Theft Lawsuit

Tom Selleck has reached a tentative settlement with the California water district which sued him for allegedly stealing truckloads of water from a public hydrant during a record drought.

The Magnum PI star is accused of pilfering the water to help keep his 60-acre California ranch and avocado farm looking lush in the midst of a water shortage.

The settlement still needs to be signed off by the water district board next week, a spokesman for Calleguas Municipal Water District in Ventura County said, however, they have recommended its approval.

The details of the deal can't be released until it is formally approved, the spokesman said.

According to the complaint, the water thefts occurred more than a dozen times over the span of two years.

The district said it spent $22,000 (£14,300) on private investigators who tracked a tanker truck taking water from a hydrant and hauling it to Selleck's property in Westlake Village.

Residents in drought-stricken Southern California have been ordered to cut water use by 25% amid a four-year dry spell.

Earlier this week, manager for resources at Calleguas Municipal Water District Eric Bergh told Sky News the district would always act to protect its water supply.

He said: "We believe that the supplies that we have remaining should rightfully be used by those who have invested in the water system.

"And with everyone in cutback mode, tearing up their lawns, installing conservation methods, we believe our 630,000 customers would agree with that."

The complaint against Selleck made the Blue Bloods actor the latest celebrity tied to the so-called "drought shaming" campaign.

Vigilantes have taken to filming outdoor water use around the homes of the rich and famous and posting videos online.

Aerial pictures of the homes of stars like Kanye West, Kim Kardashian and Barbra Streisand have attracted most interest.

Streisand has since highlighted her attempts to save water.

Malibu Mayor John Sibert told Sky News the drought shaming was a necessary wake-up call for the wealthy.

"We have people who probably never see their water bills because they're quite wealthy and they have accountants who handle all of that," he said.

Other celebrities, including Lady Gaga, Cher and Kelly Osbourne, have taken to social media to highlight the need to conserve water.

Representatives for Selleck have not responded to a request for comment.