Kanye West Ordered to Pay Former Handyman in Malibu Mansion Dispute

A Los Angeles jury awarded $140,000 to Tony Saxon, who was seeking over $1.7 million from the rapper.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 5:52pm

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Kanye West has been ordered to pay up to $140,000 to a former handyman he fired who was tasked with massive renovations at his $57 million Malibu mansion. The court case centered around Saxon's tumultuous 2021 remodeling of the property, with Saxon alleging unpaid wages, unsafe working conditions, and wrongful termination.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges that can arise when high-profile individuals undertake large-scale home renovation projects, with disputes over wages, working conditions, and project direction potentially leading to legal battles.

The details

The jury awarded Saxon $140,000 for medical expenses and lost wages, after he was originally seeking $1.7 million. The renovation project saw the removal of almost all of the original design, with West's plans for the property shifting from a 'bomb shelter' to a 'monastery' to a 'recording studio' and finally a 'playground', according to testimony. Saxon also recounted tales of late-night trips with West to Home Depot and an incident where a worker mistakenly called West's then-wife Kim Kardashian 'Bianca'.

  • The renovation project took place in 2021.
  • The jury trial occurred in March 2026.

The players

Kanye West

A rapper who hired Tony Saxon to manage renovations on his $57 million Malibu mansion.

Tony Saxon

A former handyman who was tasked with overseeing the renovations at Kanye West's Malibu mansion and is now seeking $140,000 in damages.

Bianca Censori

Kanye West's current wife, who testified during the trial and faced criticism from jurors over her past fashion choices.

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What they’re saying

“She's the most famous woman in the world and you call her by another woman's name?”

— Kanye West (Courthouse News)

“I saw it on Facebook. I don't know if his wife? I didn't like the way she presented himself. I don't want to look at it. It's disgusting!”

— Juror, with a family (Courthouse News)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Kanye West to appeal the jury's decision.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential risks and challenges that can arise when high-profile individuals undertake large-scale home renovation projects, with disputes over wages, working conditions, and project direction potentially leading to costly legal battles.