Ye shares brief insights during testimony about Malibu mansion renovation trial
Handyman Accuses Ye of Unpaid Renovation Debt in Los Angeles Court
In a Los Angeles Superior Court hearing on Friday, Tony Saxon, a handyman, brought allegations against the artist Ye, claiming he was not fully compensated for overseeing a renovation at Ye’s Malibu mansion. The conflict stems from a 2021 agreement in which Saxon states Ye agreed to pay him $20,000 per week. However, Saxon asserts that he only received a single payment of $20,000 along with $100,000 for construction costs.
During the court proceedings, Ye, previously known as Kanye West, responded briefly to questions posed by Saxon’s attorney, Ronald Zambrano. At times, Ye appeared disengaged, closing his eyes for extended periods and speaking softly when he did respond. Notably, he requested Zambrano address him simply as "Ye," eschewing the formal "Mr. Ye" often preferred in court settings.
Saxon’s lawsuit details further grievances, including claims that he was forced to sleep on the mansion floor while acting as a security guard. The plaintiff alleges he was fired in November 2021 after voicing concerns about safety during the renovation. Saxon contends that construction was performed unsafely, with workers demolishing parts of the house without proper safety equipment, and that Ye took no measures to address these complaints.
On the day of his termination, Saxon claims Ye told him, "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." To which Saxon reportedly replied, "I don’t watch TV," prompting Ye to respond with "Leave," according to the lawsuit filed in September 2023.
In an earlier ruling, the court ordered Ye to pay Saxon $3,320 in sanctions for delaying his responses to Saxon’s interrogatories. Interrogatories are formal sets of written questions that require verified responses, signed under oath to authenticate the information provided.
The legal dispute highlights ongoing tensions surrounding compensation in the construction industry, especially when personal relationships intersect with professional obligations.
