Current:Home > InvestKanye West Sued by Ex-Employee Who Says He Was Ordered to Investigate Kardashian Family -FundPrime
Kanye West Sued by Ex-Employee Who Says He Was Ordered to Investigate Kardashian Family
Johnathan Walker View
Date:2025-04-10 16:45:12
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! (8164)
Related
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- District attorney who prosecuted Barry Morphew faces disciplinary hearing
- Georgia Republican bets on Washington ties to help his nomination for an open congressional seat
- Plane crashed outside Colorado home, two juveniles and two adults transported to hospital
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- $1,000 in this Vanguard ETF incurs a mere $1 annual fee, and it has beaten the S&P in 2024
- BBC Presenter Dr. Michael Mosley's Cause of Death Revealed
- Chrysler recalls more than 211,000 SUVs and pickup trucks due to software malfunction
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Hunter Biden's gun case goes to the jury
Ranking
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Man pleads not-guilty in Sioux Falls’ first triple homicide in a half-century
- Best in Show: Father's Day Gifts to Make Every Dog Dad Feel Like Top Dog
- How To Get Miley Cyrus' Favorite Tanning Mist for Free Right Now
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Howard University cuts ties with Sean Diddy Combs after assault video
- Who's in the field for the 2024 US Open golf championship?
- This NYC vet makes house calls. In ‘Pets and the City,’ she’s penned a memoir full of tails
Recommendation
Travis Hunter, the 2
FDA warns microdose chocolate may lead to seizures
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman Are Ready to Put a Spell on Practical Magic 2
Video shows bull jumping over fence at Oregon rodeo, injuring 3
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Man pleads not-guilty in Sioux Falls’ first triple homicide in a half-century
Sarah Paulson on why Tony nomination for her role in the play Appropriate feels meaningful
In the rough: Felony convictions could cost Trump liquor licenses at 3 New Jersey golf courses