Kanye West has faced another significant financial blow in his ongoing legal battle regarding his gutted Malibu mansion. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has ordered the artist to pay $181,433.93 in attorney fees and costs to Tony Saxon, a former worker who previously sued the rapper over his employment conditions at the property.
The ruling, issued by Judge Brock Hammond on October 13, adds to the $140,000 jury award Saxon secured in March. According to reports, the new total includes $147,000 in legal fees and $34,433.93 in associated costs. While this amount is substantially lower than the $1.23 million originally sought by Saxon’s legal team, it nonetheless represents a victory for the plaintiff, as 50 Cent and other industry observers continue to monitor the fallout of Kanye West‘s real estate ventures.
The legal dispute stems from a complex history involving the beachfront property. Saxon alleged that he was promised $20,000 a week to serve as a project manager, caretaker, and security guard during the home’s renovation. His lawsuit cited unsafe working conditions, unpaid compensation, and injuries sustained while working on the site. While the jury previously rejected claims of wrongful termination and declined to award punitive damages, they did find in favor of Saxon regarding medical expenses and pain and suffering.
The renovation of the Tadao Ando-designed home became a point of public fascination after reports surfaced detailing the removal of essential features like bathrooms and windows. The city eventually issued stop-work orders due to the lack of necessary permits. Although West sold the stripped property for $21 million in 2024—a significant drop from his $57.3 million purchase price—the legal entanglements surrounding the project remain unresolved. Currently, the rapper is in the process of appealing the initial $140,000 judgment.
