Current:Home > InvestKanye West Sued by Ex-Employee Who Says He Was Ordered to Investigate Kardashian Family -Elevate Money Guide
Kanye West Sued by Ex-Employee Who Says He Was Ordered to Investigate Kardashian Family
View
Date:2025-04-13 00:26:24
Kanye West is facing another legal battle.
This time, from an alleged former employee who is accusing the rap artist of tasking him with launching an inquiry of his ex-wife Kim Kardashian's family.
In a retaliation lawsuit filed in a Los Angeles court Oct. 10 and obtained by E! News, the plaintiff—identified as John Joe—states that while working as the rapper's "director of intelligence," his duties included "investigating the Kardashian family and supposed various criminal links Ye believed they had with criminal enterprises, including alleged sex trafficking."
E! News has reached out for comment from reps for Kanye and the Kardashian-Jenner family and has not heard back.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiff, who is identified as John Doe, states that the rap artist hired him in late 2022 and that he was made to conduct investigations, "including those involving attorneys and parties that have filed suit" against Kanye.
"Doe" alleges that in addition to being tasked to investigate the Kardashian-Jenners, the music producer also had him "hire private investigators to follow and 'tail' his current wife, Bianca Censori, when she was travelling alone to visit family in Australia, without Ms. Censori’s knowledge."
Kanye has been married to Bianca since December 2022. The two wed less than two months after he finalized his divorce from Kim, with whom he shares kids North West, 11, Saint West, 8, Chicago West, 6, and Psalm West, 5.
"Doe" also alleges in his lawsuit that this past May, he received a call from an employee of Donda Academy—a private school Kanye founded in 2021 and which closed in June, according to public records—informing him that "abuse of children had occurred at Donda and that supposedly nothing was done to correct or report the problem."
The man said he "immediately informed the remaining Yeezy leadership of the report about the Donda student(s)," and that later that day, Kanye himself called him "to yell, curse and threaten" him with "great bodily injury, including death," if he repeated the information.
"Doe" alleges that the rapper told him, "You’re f--king dead to me!" and also played a "recording of scary voices that were threatening to harm" him. He added that in the next few days and weeks, he also received threats from Kanye's associates.
"Doe" states in his lawsuit that as a result of his "lawful reports of violations of law" and "his refusal to engage in unethical activities," Kanye retaliated against him "through a campaign of threats, intimidation, and harassment," which caused him "severe emotional distress and exacerbated his PTSD" that he suffers from as a military veteran, "resulting in both emotional and financial harm."
The plaintiff adds that he is still owed wages for work done on Kanye's behalf. He is seeking punitive and other damages relating to loss of earnings and a jury trial.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (5773)
Related
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Julie Su, advocate for immigrant workers, is Biden's pick for Labor Secretary
- Cardi B Is an Emotional Proud Mommy as Her and Offset's Daughter Kulture Graduates Pre-K
- Former Sub Passenger Says Waiver Mentions Death 3 Times on First Page
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Japan ad giant and other firms indicted over alleged Olympic contract bid-rigging
- Delta Air Lines pilots approve contract to raise pay by more than 30%
- The ripple effects of Russia's war in Ukraine continue to change the world
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Tickets to see Lionel Messi's MLS debut going for as much as $56,000
Ranking
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- She left her 2007 iPhone in its box for over a decade. It just sold for $63K
- Suspect wanted for 4 murders in Georgia killed in standoff with police
- Tomato shortages hit British stores. Is Brexit to blame?
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Warming Trends: Climate Divide in the Classroom, an All-Electric City and Rising Global Temperatures’ Effects on Mental Health
- Trains, Walking, Biking: Why Germany Needs to Look Beyond Cars
- Pride Funkos For Every Fandom: Disney, Marvel, Star Wars & More
Recommendation
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Herbivore Sale: The Top 15 Skincare Deals on Masks, Serums, Moisturizers, and More
How (and why) Gov. Ron DeSantis took control over Disney World's special district
Suspect wanted for 4 murders in Georgia killed in standoff with police
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
In a New Policy Statement, the Nation’s Physicists Toughen Their Stance on Climate Change, Stressing Its Reality and Urgency
How venture capital built Silicon Valley
With layoffs, NPR becomes latest media outlet to cut jobs