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On the fringes of Joshua Tree National Park, the Kellogg Doolittle House stands as a breathtaking testament to organic architecture, its 26 curved concrete columns and boulder-embedded walls blending seamlessly with the desert’s rugged beauty.
Designed by Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, and handcrafted over two decades by master artisan John Vugrin, this nearly 5,000-square-foot masterpiece was commissioned in 1984 by artists Bev and Jay Doolittle, who lived there until 2014.
Hailed by The New York Times as one of America’s most unsung residences, the house has garnered global acclaim, with 16,000 Instagram followers on its official account, @kellogg_doolittle_official. Yet, this architectural gem is now entangled in a dark scandal involving its current owner, Scott Leonard, a self-described music industry executive accused of heinous acts that have shaken the Joshua Tree community and raised questions about the property’s future.
Leonard purchased the Kellogg Doolittle House in 2021 for $6.55 million, following its sale by the Doolittles to Daniel and Michelle Lardieri in 2014 for $1.65 million. Under Leonard’s ownership, the house became a venue for high-profile events, including a private Alicia Keys concert in February 2023, attended by celebrities like Elizabeth Olsen and Gabrielle Union, and was listed on Airbnb Luxe for $5,000 to $6,700 per night, earning rave reviews.
Scott Leonard also collaborated with Vugrin to preserve the house’s unique features, planning additions like a pool carved into boulders and a westward-facing bar. However, his tenure has been overshadowed by serious allegations of sexual assault by two women, Jamie-Lee Dimes and Courtney Barriger, who claim Leonard drugged and assaulted them at the property in 2021 and 2022.
These accusations, combined with separate criminal charges related to a deadly recording studio fire, have thrust the house into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, prompting its removal from Airbnb and sparking debates about its market value and cultural legacy.
The allegations surfaced in July 2024, when the Los Angeles Times reported that Dimes, a singer-songwriter, and Barriger, an artist and model, filed lawsuits against Leonard in Los Angeles Superior Court. Dimes alleges that in August 2022, Leonard invited her to the Kellogg Doolittle House to discuss her music career.
After accepting a drink, she felt disoriented, with “foggy” memories of being slapped and raped on a circular bed in one of the home’s three bedrooms. She awoke with bruises, blood, and a displaced menstrual cup, later filing a police report with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and submitting clothing for DNA evidence. “This incident took away my dreams, the light behind my eyes, and my spirit,” Dimes told the Times, vowing to hold Leonard accountable for the sake of other artists navigating the music industry’s perils.
Barriger’s allegations echo a similar pattern. On November 11, 2021, she claims Leonard invited her to a gathering at the house, where he made disturbing comments about rape and offered her a pineapple-flavored cocktail that left her with enhanced visuals and dilated pupils, symptoms she associated with MDMA.
After confronting him, she alleges he attempted to sexually assault her. Barriger visited a medical center for a drug test but hesitated to report initially, fearing retaliation. She filed a police report in March 2023 and a lawsuit in 2024, stating, “I am taking a stand to pursue justice against Scott Leonard” (ABC7 Los Angeles).
Their attorney, Nick Rowley, described Leonard’s actions as predatory, noting in a press conference covered by FOX 11 Los Angeles that he “lured people in” with the house’s allure, exploiting its one-of-a-kind status to target vulnerable artists.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is investigating both cases, but a 2023 cyberattack on their systems delayed progress, forcing Dimes and Barriger to resubmit statements in May 2024. As of July 5, 2025, no criminal charges have been filed against Leonard, and his attorneys have declined to comment, leaving the legal outcome uncertain.
The allegations have also raised questions about Leonard’s credibility, as the lawsuits claim he misrepresented his music industry credentials, falsely asserting he co-managed artists like Björk, a claim debunked by the Los Angeles Times.
Beyond the assault allegations, Leonard faces additional legal troubles stemming from a 2022 fire at his Hollywood recording studio, which killed 26-year-old Nathan Edwards and injured Aimee Osbourne, daughter of Ozzy Osbourne.
He faces seven criminal counts related to building safety violations, with a civil lawsuit settled and a criminal hearing held in July 2023 (ABC7 Los Angeles). No updates on the case’s resolution were reported in 2025, adding to the cloud of controversy surrounding Leonard.
Confusion about the house’s ownership has further complicated the narrative. A reported 2025 Realtor.com article claimed Daniel and Michelle Lardieri, who owned the house from 2014 to 2021, were involved in a separate scandal for violating Joshua Tree’s short-term rental regulations, facing citations, a May 2025 court injunction, and fines over $77,000.
However, this account lacks corroboration from primary sources, which consistently identify Leonard as the owner in 2024 and likely 2025, based on his documented purchase and activities (The HartBeat, November 2024). The discrepancy may stem from outdated reporting or an unverified ownership change, but San Bernardino County records and recent articles confirm Leonard’s ownership, suggesting the Lardieri story is either erroneous or unrelated to the current scandal.
The fallout from the allegations has been swift. The Kellogg Doolittle House, once a coveted Airbnb listing promising “unparalleled privacy” and direct access to Joshua Tree’s trails, was removed from the platform following the lawsuits, erasing its 100% five-star rating. Real estate experts are divided on the scandal’s impact. Sonia Christian-Bendt of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Properties warns that the allegations could tarnish the house’s value, requiring new owners to “create a new ambiance” with enhanced security features.
She points to Jeffrey Epstein’s Manhattan townhome, which sold for $51 million in 2021 after a $23 million price cut, as a cautionary tale. California broker Cara Ameer agrees, noting that some buyers may feel “morally opposed” to supporting the current owner, potentially deterring rentals or sales. Denise Supplee of SparkRental.com, who once struggled to sell a property tied to a drug scandal, says such homes can linger on the market, though some sell quickly depending on context.
Yet, not all experts foresee lasting damage. Bruce Ailion, a Re/Max agent and attorney in Atlanta, argues that the house’s “unique beauty” transcends the allegations, likening it to a rare art piece that will always attract buyers. “The scandal tarnishes the assailant, not the home,” he says, emphasizing its architectural significance as a draw for collectors of scarce, iconic properties. The house’s design—described by Architectural Digest as a “fossilized carapace” with sculpted marble and cantilevered steel—continues to captivate, having hosted tours for architecture students and a 2021 Modernism Week event.
The Joshua Tree community and preservationists have voiced dismay over the house’s commercialization. The Joshua Tree Historical Society, in a 2024 statement, criticized its use for parties and rentals, arguing it disrespects the home’s cultural value. Neighbors have reported noise and traffic disruptions, particularly from events like the Alicia Keys concert, fueling tensions in the quiet Pipes Canyon area (The Desert Sun, 2024). The scandal has amplified these concerns, with locals worried about the house’s legacy as a private architectural treasure.
The allegations against Leonard also spotlight broader issues within the music industry, where power imbalances can leave aspiring artists vulnerable to exploitation. Dimes, in a Rolling Stone Australia interview, called the industry a “hall pass on #MeToo,” highlighting systemic challenges. The 2023 cyberattack on the Sheriff’s Department further underscores obstacles in pursuing justice, as delayed investigations have left victims awaiting resolution. For the Kellogg Doolittle House, the scandal poses a challenge: how to preserve a cultural landmark while addressing the ethical weight of its owner’s actions.
As of July 2025, the future of the Kellogg Doolittle House remains uncertain. With ongoing investigations and no charges filed, Leonard’s legal battles loom large, potentially affecting the property’s marketability. Inquiries to the house’s official Instagram and website, kelloggdoolittlehouse.com, have gone unanswered, reflecting the silence surrounding its current status.
Whether the house can reclaim its status as a desert icon or remain mired in scandal depends on the outcome of these cases and the ability of future stewards to restore its reputation. For now, this architectural marvel stands as a stark reminder that even the most extraordinary homes can be overshadowed by the actions of those who inhabit them.
Sources:
- https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-07-31/joshua-tree-kellogg-doolittle-house-alleged-drug-assault
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13693395/music-executive-allegations-drug-artists-joshua-tree-scott-leonard.html
- https://abc7.com/post/music-executive-scott-leonard-accused-drugging-sexually-assaulting-2-women-joshua-tree-house/15128933/
- https://www.foxla.com/news/joshua-tree-kellogg-doolittle-house-scott-leonard-assault-allegations
- https://hypebeast.com/2023/2/kellogg-doolittle-house-joshua-tree-california-interview
- https://blog.johnhartrealestate.com/2024/11/joshua-tree-home-spotlight-kellogg-doolittle-house/
- https://www.palmspringslife.com/home-design/kellogg-doolittle-house/
- https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/doolittle-house-joshua-tree
- https://www.dlawgroup.com/joshua-tree-music-exec-scott-leonard-accused-of-sexual-assault-drugging/
- https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/jamie-lee-dimes-the-music-industry-got-a-hall-pass-on-metoo-66162/
