In a Los Angeles civil trial unfolding this week, Tony Saxon, a former project manager and handyman, testified against Kanye West, now known as Ye, over claims of unpaid wages, labor violations, retaliation, and injuries sustained during the drastic renovation of Ye's $57 million Malibu beachfront mansion. Designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Tadao Ando, the property was purchased by Ye in September 2021, and Saxon described being hired to oversee its transformation into an off-grid "Bat Cave"-style fortress, stripped of all plumbing, electricity, windows, wiring, custom marble bathrooms, jacuzzis, chimneys, fire pits, and stairs—replaced in visions with slides and independent renewable energy systems, private Wi-Fi, and generators for power. Saxon recounted sleeping on a thin mattress laid directly on the bare concrete floor amid ongoing demolition, using a coat for warmth and surviving on cases of water and protein shakes, with no bed provided despite his role expanding to 24/7 on-site security and caretaking.
Saxon detailed constant text exchanges with Ye, filled with heart emojis and "brother" references, where he sent progress photos, budgets, and updates while enduring demands like dressing only in black, avoiding blue clothing, and keeping work stealthy without permits to evade inspectors. He recalled Ye firing the night watchman and insisting, "You're to be security now. Stay here. You can't leave," forcing round-the-clock presence; one night around 3 or 4 a.m., Ye allegedly loomed over his sleeping spot, demanding, "Why you not working?" to which Saxon replied he needed sleep sometime. Tensions peaked when Ye pushed to haul massive generators inside the windowless, wiring-free shell to continue demo work, which Saxon rejected as an extreme fire and carbon monoxide hazard; Ye reportedly exploded, threatening, "If you don't do what I tell you, you're a Clinton, a Kardashian—you're an enemy... Get the f--- out," ending Saxon's involvement on November 5, 2021, after just weeks on the job despite a promised $20,000 weekly pay—he received only one partial payment.
Saxon claimed a severe back injury from manually dismantling heavy chimney stacks and a pulley system that whipped his body full force, leaving him in pain that required standing stretches during testimony, though he delayed medical care due to lacking insurance post-firing. Ye's defense attorney argued Saxon was an unlicensed independent contractor who unilaterally wrecked the architectural gem, sought secrecy to hide his status, and lacks medical records tying injuries to the job, while Ye himself is expected to testify alongside his wife Bianca Censori, who initially connected with Saxon for handyman tasks. The trial, stemming from Saxon's $1 million-plus demand including lost wages, medical costs, and emotional distress, contrasts with Ye's recent countersuit over a disputed $1.8 million lien Saxon placed on the gutted property—sold in 2024 for $21 million—after failed settlement bids; jurors need nine of twelve to agree on a verdict in this first-to-trial case among Ye's employee disputes.
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