Current:Home > NewsKanye West Sued by Ex-Employee Who Says He Was Ordered to Investigate Kardashian Family -Wealth Nexus Pro
Kanye West Sued by Ex-Employee Who Says He Was Ordered to Investigate Kardashian Family
View
Date:2025-04-13 17:49:02
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! (3675)
Related
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- A Tesla plunged into frigid water in Norway. The motorists were rescued by a floating sauna as their car sank.
- These are the largest Black-owned businesses in America
- Senators release a $118 billion package that pairs border policies with aid for Ukraine and Israel
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Yes, former NFL Network journalist Jim Trotter is still heroically fighting the league
- Kelly Rizzo Dating Breckin Meyer 2 Years After Husband Bob Saget’s Death
- Former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike becomes second big free agent to sign with Seattle Storm
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Stock market today: Asian stocks mostly fall as Chinese shares skid despite moves to help markets
Ranking
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Marilyn Manson completes mandated Alcoholics Anonymous after blowing nose on videographer
- Why Miley Cyrus Called Out Audience at 2024 Grammy Awards
- Here’s how 2 sentences in the Constitution rose from obscurity to ensnare Donald Trump
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- McDonald's menu to have new additions: Shamrock Shake and Oreo Shamrock McFlurry
- Who won Grammys for 2024? See the full winners list here
- Danger in the water: Fatal attacks, bites from sharks rose in 2023. Surfers bitten the most.
Recommendation
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
United Football League reveals 2024 schedule with 10 game regular season slate
Tribal sovereignty among the top issues facing Oklahoma governor and Legislature
North Carolina, Gonzaga headline winners and losers from men's college basketball weekend
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
'Extremely dangerous situation' as flooding, mudslides swamp California: Live updates
Colorado Springs school district plans teacher housing on district property
Marilyn Manson completes mandated Alcoholics Anonymous after blowing nose on videographer