Trial Begins for Closing Arguments on Renovations at Ye’s Malibu Mansion
Closing Arguments Underway in Ye’s Renovation Compensation Case
Closing arguments commenced Monday in a Los Angeles courtroom concerning a dispute over compensation for renovation work on a Malibu home owned by rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.
The plaintiff, handyman Tony Saxon, claims in a civil lawsuit that Ye agreed to pay him $20,000 per week under a contract established in 2021. Saxon alleges that he received only one payment of $20,000 along with $100,000 for construction costs, falling far short of the agreed amount.
During the proceedings, an attorney representing Saxon accused Ye of terminating the contractor’s services maliciously, alleging significant long-term repercussions for Saxon. Conversely, Ye’s legal team has alleged that Saxon is not being truthful regarding the circumstances of his termination.
In their closing statement, Saxon’s lawyers argued that the rapper owes tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid wages and overtime, while claiming that Saxon was unfairly dismissed after suffering a neck injury on the job. Ye’s attorneys countered these claims by asserting that bank records indicate he paid Saxon a total of $240,000 for his work. They also criticized Saxon for not seeking consistent medical treatment following his injury, presenting video evidence from last year showing him moving with discomfort.
The closing arguments are set to continue on Tuesday, following a dramatic courtroom appearance by Ye, who expressed uncertainty about his role as CEO of his company, Yeezy Construction. At times, he appeared disengaged, closing his eyes momentarily and speaking softly when testifying.
Saxon’s lawsuit claims that, while working at the Malibu property, he was compelled to sleep on the floor, acting as a security guard, and was ultimately fired in November 2021 for not adhering to directives he believed could lead to injury. He stated he regularly raised concerns with Ye regarding unsafe work conditions, alleging that construction teams were engaging in hazardous practices without safety equipment.
The lawsuit noted a particularly tense exchange on the day of his dismissal. According to the complaint, Ye told Saxon, "If you don’t do what I say, you’re not going to work for me. I’m not gonna be your friend anymore, and you’ll just see me on TV." Upon Saxon’s retort that he did not watch television, Ye reportedly responded, "Leave."
In October, a ruling by the court mandated Ye to pay Saxon $3,320 in sanctions for failing to meet code requirements, specifically regarding a delay in providing verified responses to Saxon’s interrogatories filed earlier that year. These interrogatories comprised a formal set of written questions requiring sworn answers to confirm their accuracy.
