Sean Parker is speaking out about the controversy surrounding his Big Sur wedding after a settlement with the California Coastal Commission for $2.5 million. Reports said Parker and Alexandra Lenas were hit with millions in fines over their lavish wedding because Parker didn’t get permits in a protected forest. But Parker — who says he couldn’t speak during settlement talks — contends he asked wedding venue Ventana Inn & Spa whether permits were needed, and “They told us no, repeatedly.” “We’d been planning for two years,” he said, adding, “They put us in this very traumatic horrible position,” and, “because of the high-profile nature of the wedding,” the Coastal Commission investigated and found pre-existing violations 20 days before the wedding, for which he footed the bill. “We’d indemnified [Ventana],” he said, adding he’d have to cancel the wedding or pay. “We rolled over.” Parker said he paid $1 million in fines, and gave “a charitable contribution from my foundation” for $1.5 million. A member of the commission, which protects public access to coastal areas, said at a hearing: “I thank [Parker] for having his wedding there so we discovered all the violations.” Another commission member added, “Parker, in essence, leased an ongoing Coastal Act violation when he leased the campground.” Parker, who calls himself “environmentally active,” also contends the area was not endangered. “We made the illusion of it being pristine,” he said. “We brought in the forest,” adding his money will set up a campground for underprivileged kids. A rep for Ventana owner, Oaktree Capital Management, did not return a request for comment.
Sean Parker claims venue told them no permits needed for $10M fantasy nups
