AceShowbiz - A Los Angeles jury has ruled that Ye must pay $140,000 to a construction manager injured during renovations at the rapper’s Malibu mansion in 2021. The decision came after a trial addressing the injury of Tony Saxon, who worked on the $57 million property.

The verdict, delivered on Wednesday, March 11, held Ye liable for Saxon’s on-the-job injuries and medical expenses. Saxon's legal team argued that Ye failed to cover these costs despite being responsible for safety while remodeling the controversial beachside home.

Though the jury awarded $140,000, this amount is significantly less than the $1.7 million Saxon's attorneys initially sought in damages. However, the awarded damages are expected to rise after post-trial motions, which may require Ye to pay Saxon's attorney fees as well.

Ronald Zambrano, Saxon’s lawyer, described the verdict as “a vindication for our client.” He detailed the intense scrutiny Saxon endured during the trial, including attacks on his credibility and personal history by Ye’s legal team and representatives. Zambrano said, "Ye's lawyers called him a liar, a fraud and a malingerer in court."

He added that despite pressure from Ye’s camp demanding Saxon pay to settle the case and issue a public apology, Saxon stood firm. Zambrano compared the outcome to a David versus Goliath battle, highlighting the worker’s perseverance against one of the world’s most famous celebrities.

In response, Ye’s representative Milo Yiannopoulos emphasized that the jury dismissed most of Saxon's allegations, awarding only a small fraction of the damages sought. Yiannopoulos pointed out the court found Saxon acted as a contractor rather than an employee, which under California law affects compensation eligibility.

"The jury also found that Saxon acted in the capacity of a contractor and did not qualify for the employee exception under California's contractor licensing statutes," Yiannopoulos explained. He noted that unlicensed contractors in California cannot recover compensation for work that requires a license, signaling that Ye’s legal team plans to seek post-trial relief to challenge the damages award.

The trial, which lasted 11 days, marked the first employment-related lawsuit against Ye to reach a jury trial. The proceedings included testimony from the rapper himself, during which reports indicated he struggled to stay awake while on the stand. Ye’s wife, Bianca Censori, also testified during the case.

Saxon’s lawsuit, filed in 2023, claimed he injured his back due to intense labor while working to transform Ye’s Malibu mansion. The property, originally designed by acclaimed architect Tadao Ando, was undergoing a drastic renovation to create an open-concept design described as a "bunker."

Ye denied Saxon’s claims, labeling him an "overpaid and underqualified" unlicensed contractor who damaged the property’s value. The rapper eventually sold the mansion for $21 million, a substantial loss compared to the $57 million purchase price. Additionally, Ye accused Saxon of attempting to interfere with the home sale by placing a lien on the property.

In recent years, Ye has faced multiple civil lawsuits from former employees across his various ventures, including his Yeezy fashion brand and the now-closed Donda Academy. These lawsuits allege discrimination and poor workplace conditions. While some have been settled, Ye continues to fight most of these claims.

This wave of legal challenges has coincided with a decline in Ye’s public image, which has been marred by controversial racist and antisemitic remarks. Recently, the rapper issued a full-page apology in the Wall Street Journal, attributing his behavior to an untreated head injury.

The case involving Saxon adds to the growing list of legal battles confronting Ye. The outcome of this trial could influence how future claims against him are handled, particularly those involving contractor licensing laws in California.

This story was updated on March 11 at 4:29 p.m. to include statements from Ye’s representative.