Kanye West has scored a partial legal win in a closely watched lawsuit tied to the renovation of his Malibu property, but the courtroom battle is far from over. A California jury delivered a mixed verdict this week, awarding contractor Tony Saxon $140,000 in damages while rejecting several of his most serious claims against the rapper and fashion mogul.
The jury granted Saxon $100,000 for medical expenses and an additional $40,000 for past pain and suffering. However, jurors declined to award damages for lost wages, future suffering, or punitive penalties. They also determined that West did not act with malice, fraud, or oppression and found that Saxon had not been wrongfully terminated.
At the center of the case was Saxon’s role in West’s ambitious and unconventional renovation project. Saxon described himself as more of a handyman than a licensed contractor, alleging he was required to live on-site while working under unusual conditions. West had reportedly envisioned transforming the Tadao Ando-designed home into a self-sufficient, off-the-grid space, a plan that led to dramatic structural changes.
Those changes left the once-luxurious beachfront property in a stripped-down state. According to court filings, the house is now a bare concrete shell without windows, doors, electricity, or plumbing. Among the more unusual design ideas discussed in court was replacing a traditional staircase with a slide. Saxon claimed he was injured during the project and later fired after raising safety concerns.
West’s team framed the verdict as a clear victory. Spokesperson Milo Yiannopoulos said the jury dismissed the bulk of Saxon’s claims, including demands for additional damages and penalties. He also noted that the jury found Saxon functioned as a contractor in key respects, which could complicate his ability to recover certain payments under California law.
Saxon’s attorneys, however, pushed back on that narrative. While acknowledging the award fell short of what they sought, they emphasized that the jury recognized Saxon as an employee in some respects. Attorney Neama Rahmani said they expect the total judgment to climb significantly once legal fees and costs are included, potentially exceeding $1 million.
The legal fight is not finished. West has filed a separate lawsuit accusing Saxon of improperly placing a mechanic’s lien on the Malibu property, which he claims disrupted efforts to sell the home. The dispute centers on whether Saxon and his legal team used the lien and media pressure to force payment. With another court showdown looming, both sides are preparing for what could be an even more consequential phase of the conflict.
