Kanye West ordered to pay ex-employee USD 140,000; found liable in Malibu lawsuit

A Los Angeles jury has ordered Kanye West, to pay his ex-employee USD 140,000, after being found liable in a legal dispute over renovation work at the rapper’s Malibu mansion.The verdict was formally announced on Wednesday morning. In addition to the USD 140,000 payment, the jury also ruled that Ye must cover the plaintiff’s attorney fees and court costs, as per NBC News.

Kanye West sued by ex-employee

Tony Saxon, a former employee of West, sued the rapper over non payment of dues. The rapper claimed he had entered into an agreement with the rapper in 2021, for which he was promised USD 20,000 per week for his all-round services. Saxon alleged that despite the agreement, he received only one USD 20,000 payment along with USD 100,000 intended for construction costs.

Kanye West sued for 'wrongful termination'

He also sued the rapper for wrongful termination. At the hearing, his legal team argued in court that the musician had maliciously fired him, causing long-term professional harm.

During closing arguments on Monday, Saxon’s attorneys told jurors that the rapper still owed their client tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid wages and overtime. And further alleged that Saxon was unjustly dismissed after suffering a neck injury while working on the property.

Kanye West's lawyers respond

West's Lawyers argued that bank records showed the rapper had already paid Saxon USD 240,000 for his work. They also questioned the severity of the alleged injury, telling the court that Saxon did not seek consistent medical treatment for his injury and presenting videos that showed him moving without significant pain as recently as last year.