Kanye West is facing a lawsuit from a former project manager and property caretaker who alleges that he was terminated after refusing demands to remove windows and electricity from the rapper’s home. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claims that Tony Saxon was fired for not complying with Kanye’s instructions to transform the Malibu property into a retro bomb shelter.
According to NBC News, the lawsuit accuses Kanye West of ordering the project manager to move generators into the home, which Saxon refused to do. In response, West reportedly told Saxon to leave and warned him that he would be considered an enemy if he did not comply. The lawsuit also alleges violations of labour codes, including dangerous working conditions, unpaid wages, and wrongful termination.
Saxon’s lawyer, Ron Zambrano, described Kanye’s behaviour as showing a reckless disregard for his employees and flouting the law in dangerous ways during the project. Saxon, who worked for Kanye for two months, claimed that he was fired for not engaging in unlawful conduct or endangering himself. Despite promises of payment, Kanye allegedly only made two payments before terminating Saxon’s employment.
In an interview, Saxon expressed concern for Kanye’s well-being and stated that he always had the rapper’s best interests at heart. He compared the situation to preventing a friend from driving drunk, emphasising his desire to guide Kanye in the right direction. The project that led to their fallout involved turning Kanye’s beach house into a 1910s-style bomb shelter, with requests to remove modern amenities like electricity and plumbing.
Saxon detailed Kanye’s vision of living without modern conveniences, such as electricity and refrigeration, in favour of a more primitive lifestyle with candles and battery lights. The project manager expressed surprise at Kanye’s requests, initially mistaking them for an art project rather than a practical living space. The lawsuit highlights Kanye’s alleged disregard for safety and legal regulations throughout the project.
The Independent has reached out to Kanye West’s representative for comment on the lawsuit and the allegations made by Saxon. The lawsuit sheds light on the challenges faced by employees working with high-profile individuals and the importance of upholding labour laws and workplace safety standards in all environments.