Teens Sue Kanye West for Over $1 Million, Claiming Hostile Work Environment.
Teenagers are taking legal action against Kanye West and his company, seeking over $1 million in damages due to an alleged hostile work environment, as previously reported. Court documents reveal that the attorney for the four minors, along with adult plaintiffs Shemar Dacosta, Pholoso Mofokeng, Miles Jackson-Lea, and Olakunle Olatunji, is requesting a default judgment against Yeezy, West’s company.
The lawsuit names Ye, 47, his former chief of staff Milo Yiannopoulos, and Yeezy LLC as defendants. The minors involved in the case are aged between 14 and 17. They stated they were brought on board to collaborate with Ye in developing a streaming app intended to promote his album “Vulture 2.” The former employees described their experience as distressing, alleging they faced bullying related to their sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds.
The plaintiffs alleged that Bianca Censori, Ye’s wife, provided explicit materials to the team while Ye was in the process of launching an adult studio. The lawsuit stated that there were no safeguards in place to stop underage YZYVSN workers from being involved in Yeezy Porn, nor to shield them from being exposed to and compelled to view pornography as part of their job. It was also claimed that some employees were referred to as “slaves” in the workplace. The lawsuit seeks compensation for the emotional distress, anxiety, humiliation, anguish, and depression they experienced.
Milo, 40, publicly addressed the lawsuit. He informed TMZ that he was speaking on behalf of Bianca, 29. Milo described the allegations against her as “offensive, disgusting, abhorrent, and completely false.” He labeled one of the plaintiffs as a “tragic, desperate, attention-seeking wannabe Yeezy staffer.” Milo refuted the claims that employees were exposed to explicit content. Neither Ye nor Milo has submitted an official response to the lawsuit yet. The plaintiffs indicated that Yeezy has been served but has not yet replied. Now, former employees of Ye are seeking a default judgment against Yeezy, with each plaintiff requesting approximately $300,000 in damages.
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The attorney representing the group requested a judgment totaling $2,491,984 to address the former employees’ claimed unpaid wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages. The attorney contended that punitive damages were justified in this situation. He stated, “An award of punitive damages is necessary to hold the Defendants accountable for their deliberate and harmful actions and to prevent similar behavior in the future.
The Defendants devised a plan to take advantage of the Plaintiffs for their labor, which included recruiting minors, exposing them to harsh working conditions, and then failing to compensate them for their efforts.” The judge has not yet made a decision. Ye is also dealing with a separate lawsuit from his former assistant, who has accused him of sexual harassment.
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This lawsuit was filed by Lauren Pisciotta, who began working for Ye in 2021 as his personal assistant, available around the clock. The plaintiff has faced difficulties in locating the musician to deliver the legal documents. Ye has not yet addressed the allegations. The lawsuit filed by the teenagers and adult plaintiffs against Kanye West and Yeezy LLC highlights serious allegations of a hostile work environment, bullying, and exposure to explicit content.
The plaintiffs seek over $1 million in damages for emotional distress, unpaid wages, and punitive damages. With claims of mistreatment involving minors and disturbing working conditions, the case raises concerns about workplace ethics and the treatment of young employees. As the legal proceedings unfold, Kanye West, his company, and his associates, including Milo Yiannopoulos, face intense scrutiny, with the plaintiffs hoping for accountability and justice in this distressing matter.