Kanye West has reportedly asked the jury to reverse their previous decision, which required him to pay over $100,000 in damages to his former employee, Tony Saxon. In September 2023, Saxon, who was hired as a project manager for West’s mansion and was later given responsibilities such as caretaking and full-time security, filed a lawsuit against the rapper. He alleged that he did not receive one of the required payments and was forced to sleep in “makeshift conditions.” Saxon also claimed that he suffered injuries on the job.
Kanye West reportedly filed a motion to overturn jury decision
As per the March 13 filing obtained by PEOPLE, Kanye West (now known as Ye) has filed a motion to either grant a new trial or reverse the jury’s prior decision to compensate the plaintiff with over $100,000 in damages. The case went through a two-week trial before reaching a verdict in favor of Tony Saxon, who was awarded a certain amount as a settlement.
Initially, according to court documents, Saxon sought $1.7 million in compensatory damages, but the amount was later reduced to $140,000. The final figure was determined based on the plaintiff’s physical injury claim. Saxon alleged that he suffered back and neck injuries on the job during the closing stages of the trial.
However, in a turn of events, Ye’s latest filing challenges that claim, noting that the plaintiff went to the jury without providing any evidence of an injury or any medical bills. The motion reads, “Yet the jury nevertheless awarded Plaintiff $100,000 in economic damages—$50,000 for past economic loss and $50,000 for future economic loss. That award cannot stand.” The motion further argues that, due to insufficient evidence supporting Saxon’s injury claims, he is not legally entitled to receive any damages.
“If the award represents medical damages, it lacks the substantial evidentiary support required under California law. If it represents compensation for the construction work [Saxon] performed, it is barred by the contractor licensing statutes. At a minimum, the Court should order a new trial limited to damages,” the motion states.
In response, Saxon’s attorney, Ronald Zambrano, said they have reviewed the motion and believe it is an “attempt to relitigate an issue that was already denied by the Court prior to trial.” He strongly believes the judge will ultimately stick with the jury’s decision.
Originally reported by Shazmeen Navrange on Mandatory.
