Los Angeles – Kanye West, now known as Ye, has been ordered to pay $140,000 (£104,415) to former contractor Tony Saxon following a civil lawsuit centered on renovations at his Malibu mansion. The verdict, reached Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, concludes a case alleging unpaid wages, wrongful termination, and unsafe working conditions, according to reports from BBC News and People Magazine.
Saxon, who served as a project manager, full-time security, and live-in caretaker during the 2021 renovation, initially sought $1.7 million (£1.267m) in damages. While the jury awarded significantly less, they did find West liable for $140,000 in damages, along with attorney and court fees. The dispute highlights the complexities of high-profile home renovations and the legal challenges that can arise from contractor disputes.
The lawsuit, filed in 2023, detailed allegations of a demanding work environment. Saxon testified that West stipulated he could not leave the property and was once awakened at 3:00 a.m. By the rapper inquiring why he wasn’t working. He likewise claimed West agreed to a weekly wage of $20,000 (£14,916) but only provided one payment of that amount, along with an additional $100,000 (£74,582) for construction costs.
During the trial, West’s legal team argued that Saxon was an unlicensed contractor who “destroyed” the “architectural gem” – a Malibu property purchased by West in 2021 for $57 million (£40.27m), as reported by ABC7. They presented bank records indicating Saxon received $240,000 (£179,298) during the six weeks he worked on the project.
Demanding Renovation Plans and Contentious Testimony
The case took a turn when Saxon detailed West’s ambitious and unconventional plans for the Malibu estate, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando. According to Saxon’s testimony, West intended to “gut” the home, removing electricity and plumbing to create an off-grid living space, and even replace a staircase with a slide. Perhaps most strikingly, Saxon alleged West requested a system to treat “his urine and faeces [to] be treated into fresh water for drinking and bathing,” a claim initially reported by BBC News.
The jury was presented with a photograph of a basic mattress on a concrete floor, which Saxon claimed was his sleeping arrangement during the renovation. West himself took the stand, but his demeanor drew scrutiny. Reports indicate he appeared to struggle to stay awake during questioning, prompting his attorney, Andrew Cherkasky, to argue he was “bored” rather than asleep, stating, “This represents beneath him,” according to Rolling Stone.
West’s team also attempted to discredit Saxon’s claims of injury, presenting a video of him performing with a band and engaging in physical activity. Saxon had sued for medical expenses related to alleged injuries to his neck and back sustained while working on the property.
Kanye West has lost a lawsuit filed by Tony Saxon, the project manager who worked on his former Malibu mansion. A jury awarded Saxon $140,000 in damages, along with attorneys’ fees and court costs, though no punitive damages were granted.
Saxon alleged that Ye agreed to pay him… pic.twitter.com/1qU9bjJMdo— infolky (@infolky) March 11, 2026
Broader Legal Challenges for Kanye West
This verdict comes as West faces a series of legal challenges. Earlier this week, La Roux publicly supported claims made by a model alleging West choked her and subjected her to “pornographic gagging” during a music video shoot, adding another layer to the legal scrutiny surrounding the artist. The Malibu mansion lawsuit is just one of several cases West is currently navigating.
The jury did not award Saxon punitive damages, nor did they find West guilty of wrongful termination or malicious intent. However, the $140,000 award, coupled with the obligation to cover Saxon’s legal fees – estimated to exceed $1 million – represents a significant financial outcome for West. The rapper sold the Malibu property at a loss in 2023 after the renovation work was abandoned.
This case underscores the importance of clear contracts and proper payment procedures in construction projects, particularly those involving high-profile individuals and ambitious designs. It also highlights the potential legal ramifications of demanding work environments and disputes over compensation.
As West continues to face legal battles, the outcome of this case serves as a reminder of the potential costs associated with contractor disputes and the importance of adhering to legal and ethical standards in all business dealings. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and further developments are expected in the coming months.
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