Verdict follows NewsGhana’s February report on the trial involving rapper Ye and his former Malibu renovation project
A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday ordered rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, to pay $140,000 to Tony Saxon, a former contractor who alleged he was underpaid and injured while overseeing renovations at the artist’s former $57 million Malibu estate, in a mixed verdict that denied most of the damages Saxon had originally sought.
The jury delivered its decision at the Los Angeles Superior Court after reaching a verdict late Tuesday afternoon. Judge Brock Hammond had sent the panel home due to the late hour, and the verdict was formally read on Wednesday morning.
Jurors found that Saxon was a legitimate employee and was injured on the job, but stopped short of concluding that he was wrongfully terminated, rejecting that portion of his claim. The $140,000 award covers medical expenses and compensation related to the workplace injury, falling well short of the $1.7 million Saxon’s attorneys had demanded.
Saxon alleged that Ye agreed to pay him $20,000 per week under a 2021 deal to manage construction and security at the beachfront property. Saxon testified he received only one $20,000 installment and approximately $100,000 for construction costs, despite continuing to work on the project. He also alleged he was forced to sleep on the floor of the home while serving as an overnight security guard during the renovation.
Ye, who took the stand last Friday, responded with brief answers and acknowledged he was unsure whether he was the chief executive of one of his own companies, Yeezy Construction. Ye’s defence team contended that bank records showed he had paid Saxon $240,000 in total.
Ye’s attorneys said the jury effectively sided with them on the major claims, noting that no damages were awarded for lost wages, overtime, wrongful termination, retaliation, punitive damages or statutory penalties. They indicated they would seek post-trial relief, arguing that the $140,000 injury award is legally barred under California contractor licensing statutes.
Saxon’s lead attorney Ronald Zambrano described the outcome as a vindication, saying his client had faced intense personal attacks from Ye’s legal team throughout the proceedings. In addition to the $140,000, Ye is also required to pay Saxon’s attorney fees and court costs, as well as a previously ordered $3,320 in sanctions for discovery delays during the litigation.
Ye’s wife, Bianca Censori, also testified during the trial. She told the court she worked alongside Saxon briefly during the Malibu project but only for a limited period.
