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Kanye West has been ordered by a court to pay $140,000 after a handyman filed a lawsuit claiming he was not fully paid for renovation work carried out at the rapper’s Malibu property.
Tony Saxon, who previously worked for West, launched legal proceedings in 2023. He alleged he was owed $1million in unpaid wages and lost income after serving as a project manager, security guard and live in caretaker at the beachfront home.
He also sought compensation for medical treatment, stating that he suffered injuries to his neck and back while carrying out his duties.
According to Saxon, West had promised him weekly payments of $20,000. However, he claimed he only received one payment of $20,000 along with another $100,000 which was intended to cover building expenses.
Saxon told the jury that West allegedly restricted him from leaving the property. He also claimed that on one occasion the rapper woke him at around 3am asking why he was not working.
During the trial, jurors were shown an image of a thin mattress placed directly on a concrete surface. Saxon said this was where he slept while employed at the Malibu residence, which West purchased in 2021 for $57million.
While giving evidence, Saxon also alleged that West wanted him to install a system that would allow “his urine and faeces [to] be treated into fresh water for drinking and bathing”, according to BBC News.
He further claimed West intended to completely strip down the beachfront property, originally designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando who received the Pritzker Prize. Saxon said the plans included turning the house into a self sufficient property by removing power and plumbing, as well as replacing a staircase with a slide.
When West later testified in court, reports suggested he appeared to struggle with staying alert. His attorney Andrew Cherkasky denied that he had fallen asleep and instead told jurors: “He wasn’t sleeping. He was bored. This is beneath him.”
Cherkasky also argued that Saxon was not a dependable witness. He presented financial records which he said proved Saxon had received $240,000 during the six weeks he worked for West.
West’s legal representatives also challenged the claims about Saxon’s injuries. They presented footage showing him performing with a band and moving energetically on the floor.
The court was also told that West originally purchased the Malibu property in 2021, but after renovation work left it stripped down and vacant, he later sold it in 2023 at a financial loss.
This case is just one of several legal matters involving West that are expected to move forward in the near future.
Earlier this week La Roux supported allegations made by a model who accused West of choking her and subjecting her to “pornographic gagging” with his fingers during a music video shoot as part of an ongoing lawsuit.
