Kanye West files motion to overturn 'baseless' Malibu mansion verdict

Legal representatives for Kanye West, now legally known as Ye, have filed a formal motion to overturn a jury's decision in a high-profile dispute involving his £45 million Malibu estate.

The 48-year-old artist is seeking a new trial or a complete reversal of the verdict that ordered him to pay £110,000 ($140,000) in damages to a former project manager, Tony Saxon.

The initial two-week trial centred on allegations of unpaid wages, wrongful termination, and physical injuries sustained during the renovation of the California property in 2021.

The jury's award was based solely on injury claims, despite Saxon’s initial pursuit of over £1.3 million. West’s legal team argues that the verdict lacks a factual foundation, noting the absence of medical records or expert testimony.

According to the motion: “This case went to the jury without a single admissible medical bill, without any medical records establishing injury, and without expert testimony grounded in any reliable causation or valuation methodology.”

The defence further contends that as an unlicensed contractor, Saxon is legally barred from collecting such compensation under California law.

Saxon’s attorney, Ronald Zambrano, remains confident that the original ruling will be upheld, describing the motion as an "attempt to relitigate" settled issues.

Saxon originally claimed he was forced to sleep on the floor and was ignored by West after injuring his neck and back.

West’s team maintains that "no legally permissible theory supports" the current award, suggesting that at a minimum, a new trial regarding the valuation of damages is necessary to achieve a fair legal outcome.