Kanye West, also known as Ye, is facing a lawsuit from a former employee who claims he was instructed to investigate West’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, and monitor the movements of his current spouse, Bianca Censori. The ex-employee, identified as John Doe in court filings, lodged the complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday.
According to the lawsuit, Doe, a military veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is suing both West and his company, Yeezy, LLC, for emotional distress, retaliation, and violations of labor laws. The 22-page legal document details how the work environment allegedly took a severe toll on Doe’s mental health, resulting in anxiety, panic attacks, and a need for medical treatment.
Doe, initially hired as a campaign director for Ye’s 2024 presidential run, later took on the role of director of intelligence. In this capacity, he claims he was assigned to investigate members of Kardashian’s family and monitor Censori during her travels, including an alleged order to track her visits to family in Australia without her knowledge. Doe also alleges that West had him investigate individuals involved in past legal disputes with the rapper.
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The lawsuit further accuses West of failing to compensate Doe for his work. Doe alleges he was hired to act as a travel nanny for two Yeezy associates but was not paid for several pay periods. He claims that West and Yeezy “knowingly and willfully refused” to pay him, leading to substantial financial and emotional losses.
Tensions between Doe and West escalated earlier in 2024 when Doe reported a suspected case of child abuse at Donda Academy, West’s private school. Following his report, Doe alleges he received threatening calls from West, including a death threat, which he says left him fearing for his safety. He also claims further threats came from West’s associates in the aftermath of the incident.
“Our client remains anonymous due to his genuine fear of Ye and his unpredictable, alarming behavior,” Doe’s legal team said in a statement. “It is both illegal and unconscionable for an employer to threaten the life of an employee.”
John Doe is seeking damages for unpaid wages, lost earnings, and additional expenses. The case is set to go before a jury on December 19, 2024, with Doe requesting a trial to address his claims against West and Yeezy.
