Kanye West Held Responsible in Malibu Mansion Renovation Case
Kanye West Ordered to Pay Handyman $140,000 in Renovation Dispute
A Los Angeles jury has awarded $140,000 to handyman Tony Saxon, who claimed he was undercompensated for his work overseeing the renovation of a Malibu mansion owned by rapper Ye, previously known as Kanye West. The verdict, delivered on Wednesday after a two-week trial, found Ye liable for breach of contract.
Saxon alleged that he was hired with an agreement of $20,000 per week to manage the extensive $57 million renovation project. However, he testified he received just one payment of $20,000 throughout his tenure. He also claimed he faced challenging working conditions, including being forced to sleep on the floor and being terminated in November 2021 for declining so-called “dangerous requests” lacking adequate safety measures.
While Saxon’s legal team sought $1.7 million in damages, the jury’s award significantly fell short of that amount. The decision was reached late Tuesday afternoon, but Judge Brock Hammond officially announced the verdict on Wednesday morning.
During the proceedings, West’s responses frequently included the phrase “I’m not sure” when questioned about the management aspects of Yeezy Construction.
It remains uncertain whether Saxon’s legal team will contest the $140,000 verdict, given it represents a mere fraction of the initially claimed wages. Looking ahead, both parties’ legal teams will assess the findings to consider any potential appeals. If the judgment is upheld, steps toward enforcement will begin, including $3,320 in sanctions that the court previously imposed on West for discovery delays.
The timeline of events leading to this verdict traces back to 2021, when Saxon was hired for the renovation, culminating in his lawsuit filed in September 2023.
