A California jury has found rapper and fashion entrepreneur Kanye West, now legally known as Ye, partially liable in a civil lawsuit brought by a former worker who claimed he was injured while working on the artist’s controversial Malibu property renovation.
The case, decided Wednesday, stems from a lawsuit filed by Tony Saxon, who alleged he suffered serious back and neck injuries while working at Ye’s oceanfront home and was later dismissed after raising safety concerns. While Saxon had sought approximately $1.7 million in damages, the jury awarded him $140,000 total, including $100,000 for medical expenses and $40,000 for past pain and suffering.
Jurors declined to award damages for future pain and suffering and did not find that Ye acted with malice, oppression, or fraud. They also rejected Saxon’s claim that he had been wrongfully terminated. However, Ye may ultimately pay more, as he is also expected to cover Saxon’s legal fees and court costs, which could significantly increase the financial impact of the verdict.
The lawsuit centered on work performed at Ye’s minimalist Malibu residence, originally designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Ye purchased the beachfront property for $57 million in 2021 and later ordered extensive interior demolition that reportedly removed plumbing, electrical systems, cabinetry, and other structural elements. The property was eventually sold in 2024 for about $21 million, representing a substantial financial loss.
During the trial, Saxon testified that he was hired as both a project manager and a full-time security guard, describing his role as requiring him to remain on-site for extended periods. He told jurors he sustained injuries while performing physical work at the home and later encountered resistance when requesting accommodations.
Saxon also testified that he refused to operate fuel-powered generators indoors due to concerns about carbon monoxide exposure. According to his testimony, this disagreement contributed to tensions with Ye. Saxon described one confrontation as intimidating, claiming Ye reacted angrily when safety concerns were raised.
Attorneys for Saxon argued he should have been classified as a full-time employee under California labor law rather than an independent contractor. His lawyer, Ron Zambrano, told jurors that thousands of pages of documents, including text messages and work records, supported his claims. Among the evidence presented were dozens of pages of text exchanges between Saxon and Ye discussing work conditions and Saxon’s reported injuries.
Zambrano also argued that Ye failed to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which he said left the musician legally responsible for injuries sustained during the project.
Ye’s attorney, Andrew Cherkasky, disputed Saxon’s claims and portrayed him as an unreliable witness who allegedly exaggerated injuries and financial losses after his employment ended. Cherkasky argued that the working relationship resembled a typical arrangement between a homeowner and an outside contractor rather than formal employment.
The defense also called Ye’s wife, Bianca Censori, to testify about the design vision for the Malibu home. Censori, an architect who worked on the project, described Ye’s preference for unconventional design elements, including open spaces, ramps, and alternative structural features. She maintained that the project followed an evolving but consistent architectural concept.
Additional testimony came from other workers involved in the renovation, including a handyman who supported claims that work was being conducted without permits. The defense disputed those characterizations, suggesting the project remained conceptual during various phases.
The lawsuit is the first among numerous civil complaints involving Ye in recent years to proceed to a jury verdict. Since 2022, the artist has faced multiple legal disputes involving former employees and business associates, as well as ongoing public controversy related to inflammatory public statements.
Some of those disputes have already been resolved. Ye previously settled lawsuits connected to his now-defunct educational venture, Donda Academy, after former staff alleged unsafe working conditions and other problems. He is also currently contesting separate lawsuits involving allegations of workplace misconduct, which he has denied.
Despite the mixed verdict in the Saxon case, the ruling adds to a growing list of legal challenges facing the artist as he continues to manage both his music career and business ventures.
While the jury did not fully side with either party, the decision underscores the legal risks associated with the unconventional Malibu renovation project, a venture that drew attention not only for its design ambitions but also for the disputes that followed.
Ye has not publicly commented in detail on the verdict.
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