Kanye West has been ordered by a jury in Los Angeles to pay $140,000 in damages to a handyman after a dispute over renovation work at his Malibu beachfront property.
The case was brought by Tony Saxon, who claimed he was not fully paid for work he carried out while helping renovate the mansion. Saxon also alleged that he was dismissed unfairly and worked under difficult conditions during the project. He initially sought about $1.7 million in damages, citing unpaid wages and other related costs.
After hearing testimony from both sides during the trial, the jury awarded Saxon $140,000, along with legal costs. Although the amount is far less than what he requested, the decision still represents a partial victory for the handyman.
During the trial, Saxon told the court he was hired to assist with major changes to the oceanfront house, which West purchased in 2021 for roughly $57 million. The property was designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Tadao Ando and was widely considered a striking example of minimalist modern architecture.
According to Saxon, West wanted to transform the home into a self-sustaining property. He claimed the plan included removing parts of the electrical and plumbing systems and redesigning certain features of the house. Saxon also described unusual working conditions while the renovation was underway.
West’s legal team pushed back against those claims in court. His lawyer argued that Saxon was not a licensed contractor and accused him of damaging parts of the home during the renovation process. Financial records were also presented suggesting that Saxon had already received significant payments during the period he worked on the property.
While testifying, West said he could not recall many of the interactions described by Saxon, though he acknowledged that some conversations had taken place. The rapper also denied several of the more unusual claims presented in the lawsuit.
The Malibu mansion later became the subject of attention after the extensive renovations left the property stripped down. West eventually sold the house in 2023 at a loss compared to the amount he originally paid.
Legal observers say the lawsuit is notable because it is one of several cases filed by former employees against West in recent years, many of which involve workplace disputes or payment disagreements.
With the jury now delivering its verdict, the case adds another chapter to the series of legal and public controversies that have surrounded the rapper and entrepreneur in recent years.
