Kanye West Ordered to Pay $140K After Malibu Mansion Renovation Lawsuit

A jury in Los Angeles has ruled that Kanye West must pay $140,000 in damages to a handyman who sued him over unpaid renovation work at his Malibu beachfront property. The decision followed a trial in Los Angeles Superior Court, where the handyman argued that West failed to compensate him properly and later dismissed him unfairly.

Tony Saxon, who filed the civil lawsuit, originally sought $1.7 million in damages. He claimed unpaid wages, medical bills, and unsafe working conditions during the renovation project. After a 10-day trial, jurors awarded him $140,000 along with attorney and court fees.

The dispute focuses on work Saxon performed at the luxury Malibu home West bought in 2021 for $57 million. During the trial, West and his wife, Bianca Censori, testified about the renovation project and Saxon’s employment at the property.

Renovation Dispute and Testimony in Court

Saxon told jurors that West hired him to carry out extensive changes at the beachfront home. He said West promised to pay him $20,000 each week for the work. Saxon stated that he received only one payment of that amount, along with another $100,000 meant to cover construction expenses.

The handyman also described unusual working conditions at the property. Saxon claimed West required him to remain on-site during the renovation period. He said he often received requests to work late at night or early in the morning.

In one instance, Saxon testified that someone woke him at about 3:00 a.m. and asked why he was not working. Jurors also saw a photograph showing a small mattress placed directly on a concrete floor. Saxon said he used that mattress as a bed while staying at the house.

Saxon also described ambitious plans for the home’s redesign. According to his testimony, Kanye West wanted to transform the property into an off-grid residence. The Malibu house was originally designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Tadao Ando.

Saxon told jurors that the renovation plan involved removing electricity and plumbing from the house. He also claimed that the design included replacing the main staircase with a slide as part of the new concept.

The handyman made another unusual claim during the trial. Saxon testified that West asked him to install a system that could recycle waste into drinking water. According to Saxon, the system would convert “urine and faeces into fresh water” for use inside the home.

Saxon also described an incident involving his hygiene while he worked at the property. He said West once commented on a strong odor after noticing that he smelled. Saxon explained that the house lacked proper bathing facilities during the renovation.

He added that West later took him to the Nobu Hotel Malibu so he could clean up. Saxon told the court that West even ran a bath for him at the hotel.

While testifying, West said he could not recall many of the interactions Saxon described. However, he acknowledged that he once complained about the handyman’s smell during the renovation period.

West’s legal team repeatedly challenged Saxon’s credibility throughout the trial. The rapper’s lawyer, Andrew Cherkasky, argued that bank records showed Saxon received $240,000 during the six weeks he worked on the project.

The defense also presented a video that showed Saxon performing with a band and rolling on the floor. Lawyers used the clip to question Saxon’s claim that he suffered serious injuries while working at the property.

During closing arguments, Cherkasky strongly criticized Saxon’s testimony. He described the handyman as unreliable and accused him of trying to gain financially through the lawsuit.

Media outlets reported that West appeared to fall asleep while sitting in the courtroom during the proceedings. His attorney denied that claim and told jurors that the rapper had simply become bored. The lawyer also argued that West viewed the lawsuit as a minor matter.

Although Saxon initially demanded $1.7 million, the jury ultimately awarded him a much smaller amount. The ruling marks the first time a lawsuit filed by former employees against West has reached a trial verdict.

The Malibu property at the center of the dispute did not remain in West’s possession. He sold the home in 2023 after renovation work stripped much of the interior and left the project unfinished.

The legal battle also comes during a period of continued controversy for West. The rapper has faced public criticism and lost several business partnerships after making offensive online statements in recent years, including remarks referencing Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.