A judge just made Ye’s Malibu mansion saga even more expensive. On Tuesday, a Los Angeles judge raised the jury verdict against the rapper from $140,000 to $321,000, adding $181,000 in legal fees and costs for Tony Saxon, the construction manager who says he injured his back renovating the property back in 2021.
The case is a mixed bag for both sides. Jurors found Ye liable for failing to pay workers’compensation, but they rejected Saxon’s wrongful termination and wage claims. Meanwhile, Ye is countersuing Saxon, claiming an improper lien interfered with the sale of the Tadao Ando-designed home, which Ye bought for $57 million and later sold for $21 million.
Ye’s spokesperson Milo Yiannopoulos blasted Saxon’s legal team in a statement, while Saxon’s attorney said he respects the judge’s reasoning even if he thinks the payout should have been higher. And this is far from over: two more lawsuits from former Ye employees are scheduled for trial in February.
Do you think courts are finally catching up with celebrity workplace disputes, or is this just the start?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.