Nearly three years after selling his Malibu mansion,Yeis heading to court over the renovation process for the multimillion-dollar property.
The Grammy-winning rapper andcontroversial figure, formerly known asKanye West, is going to trial this week after a former employee, Tony Saxon, sued the rapper in September 2023 for various labor abuses while working on his Southern California home.
Three months later, Yeput the beachfront residence up for sale, two years after he paid $57 million for it. The property, designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, includes 4,000 square feet of interior space and about 1,500 square feet of outdoor living areas, and nearly every room has views of the Pacific Ocean.
Around 200 tons of concrete, 200 tons of steel reinforcement and 12 massive pylons were used to construct the home, according to the property's description.
"Selling Sunset"starJason Oppenheimlisted the mansion for $53 million, which made for a $4 million loss for Ye. The real-estate broker said the new price reflected the property's value after the rapper removed the home's interiors.
According toRealtor.com, the property returned to the market last August after real-estate developer Steven "Bo" Belmont purchased the home for $21 million and later relisted the home for $39 million, reportedly cutting a short-lived deal with luxury home developer Andrew Mazzella at one point.
"Tony has been waiting two-and-a-half years for his day in court, and he's looking forward to telling his story," Saxon's attorney, Neama Rahmani, said in a statement to USA TODAY. "The public will be able to draw their own conclusions as to who is telling the truth."
USA TODAY has reached out to Ye's representatives for comment.
Here's everything you need to know about the case.
Ye Malibu house case:Rapper sells his beach home after paying $57M
Born Kanye Omari West, Ye transformed himself from a college dropout in Chicago to an undisputable icon of music and fashion. But a string of controversies has the rapper facing a fallout. In October 2022, several companies, including Adidas and Balenciaga fashion house, cut ties with the star after he made antisemitic remarks.Look back on Ye's life and career, from his marriage and divorce from Kim Kardashian to his polarizing political statements. Here, Ye and Bianca Censori attend the 67th Grammy Awards on Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Ye gestures upon arriving at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on July 11, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ye hit the 2025 Grammys red carpet donning a black shirt and pants, sunglasses and a chain. Meanwhile, wife Bianca Censori wore a black fur coat that she removed to pose in a nearly nude, see-through dress as photographers captured the couple's appearance." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ye and Bianca Censori attend the Marni fall/winter 2024 fashion show on Feb. 23, 2024, in Milan, Italy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ye and Bianca Censori are seen in the stands during the UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg football match Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid at the San Siro stadium in Milan on Feb. 20, 2024." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Charlie Wilson, left, and Ye attend Wilson's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony on Jan. 29, 2024, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ye attended the premiere for "The Greatest Lie Ever Sold: George Floyd and the Rise of BLM," a documentary by conservative political commentator Candace Owens, on Oct. 12, 2022." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
during an appearance on the “Drink Champs” podcast a few days after the event found the rapper making controversial statements on the manner of Floyd's death." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ye and his children Saint West, Chicago West and Psalm West, who he shares with ex Kim Kardashian, attended the Balenciaga womenswear spring/summer 2023 show at Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 2, 2022." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
gave an impassioned speech about Diddy, who he called his "brother."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
were rumored to be romantically linked at the time." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
then-girlfriend Julia Fox, an actress and model, attended the Kenzo Fall/Winter 2022/2023 show during Paris Fashion Week on Jan. 23, 2022." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
temporarily moved into the venue following the event while he finished work on his 10th studio album "Donda," named after his late mother Donda West." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Easter Sunday service during the 2019 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival on April 21, 2019." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"feel like Superman." Trump called him "a smart cookie."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
See Kanye West, Ye, the polarizing rapper, fashion mogul
Born Kanye Omari West, Ye transformed himself from a college dropout in Chicago to an undisputable icon of music and fashion. But a string of controversies has the rapper facing a fallout. In October 2022, several companies, including Adidas and Balenciaga fashion house,cut ties with the starafter he made antisemitic remarks.Look back on Ye's life and career, from his marriage and divorce from Kim Kardashian to his polarizing political statements. Here, Ye and Bianca Censori attend the 67th Grammy Awards on Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Why is Ye being sued for Malibu mansion?
In his lawsuit against Ye, Saxon accused the rapper, as well as 10 anonymous "Doe" defendants, of disability discrimination, violations of multiple labor codes, unpaid wages and reimbursements, and wrongful retaliatory termination.
Saxon said he began working on Ye's Malibu home around September 2021 after being hired as a "project manager" for the property's renovations, a position that required him to be a "full-time security" and "live-in caretaker." His duties, totaling 16-hour workdays, included cleaning construction and demolition work, coordinating workers and hiring contractors.
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The former employee also detailed the "dangerous working conditions" he and his coworkers navigated, including sleeping arrangements located near open insulation and a lack of safety equipment for demolition work. Saxon provided several photos and videos allegedly showing these conditions, according to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY.
Saxon alleged he shared his complaints about the unsafe working environment with Ye on "numerous occasions," but the rapper allegedly took no action.
Bad Bunny and "Wuthering Heights" have dominated the month of February, as the march to the 2026 Oscars continues. Stars have been stepping out this month at movie premieres and awards shows, including the Grammys and the Independent Spirit Awards. Plus, New York Fashion Week 2026 is underway, featuring appearances by Rihanna and Anne Hathaway.
Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of February 2026 so far, starting with Bad Bunny, left, and Lady Gaga performing during the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Keke Palmer attends the Film Independent Spirit Awards at Hollywood Palladium on Feb. 15, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rose Byrne " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kirsten Dunst, left, and Jesse Plemons " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Amy Madigan " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Dylan O'Brien " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Wunmi Mosaku " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Glen Powell attends a screening of "How To Make a Killing" on Feb. 14, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Margaret Qualley " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Topher Grace " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jessica Henwick " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Charli XCX attends the premiere of "The Moment" during the Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin on Feb. 14, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Callum Turner, left, and Dua Lipa attend the "Rosebush Pruning" premiere during the Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin on Feb. 14, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Pamela Anderson " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Haley Lu Richardson attends the "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die" premiere during the Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin on Feb. 13, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Zazie Beetz " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bella Ramsey attends the "Everybody Digs Bill Evans" red carpet during the Berlinale Berlin International Film Festival on Feb. 13, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Isabel May attends the "Scream 7" x TikTok Stab House Experience on Feb. 13, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neil Patrick Harris attends the "No Good Men" premiere during the Berlinale International Film Festival on Feb. 12, 2026, in Berlin, Germany. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Timothée Chalamet attends a screening of "Call Me By Your Name" hosted by Cinespia on Feb. 13, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Hudson Williams attends the Hennessy Gold House Lunar New Year Celebration at Chinese Tuxedo on Feb. 12, 2026, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Margot Robbie attends the "Wuthering Heights" Australian premiere on Feb. 12, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jacob Elordi " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Hailey Bieber " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Dove Cameron attends the premiere of "56 Days" on Feb. 11, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Halsey " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Neve Campbell attends a screening and Q&A for "Scream" on Feb. 10, 2026, in Paris." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Halle Berry attends the premiere of "Crime 101" in Los Angeles on Feb. 10, 2026. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chris Hemsworth " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ben Affleck, left, and Matt Damon " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Angelina Jolie attends a screening of "Coutures" in Paris on Feb. 9, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Anne Hathaway attends the Ralph Lauren runway show during New York Fashion Week on Feb. 10, 2026, in New York." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny performs during the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ricky Martin " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bad Bunny, left, and Lady Gaga " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Young Miko and Pedro Pascal " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Alan Ritchson attends the "War Machine" premiere on Feb. 7, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chase Infiniti attends the NAACP Image Awards Nominees Brunch on Feb. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Anthony Davis, left, and Yvette Nicole Brown " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Tyriq Withers " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Caleb McLaughlin attends the premiere of "GOAT" on Feb. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Gabrielle Union" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Aaron Pierre " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jennifer Hudson " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jelly Roll " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Keke Palmer attends the premiere of "The 'Burbs" on Feb. 5, 2026, in Universal City, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Camila Mendes attends the premiere of "Idiotka" on Feb. 5, 2026, in New York City. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Margot Robbie attends a photocall for "Wuthering Heights" in Paris on Feb. 2." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jacob Elordi " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Jacob Elordi, Emerald Fennell, Margot Robbie and Shazad Latif " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sabrina Carpenter performs during the Grammys on Feb. 1 in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Lady Gaga" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Music's biggest stars are kicking off February on a high note with the 2026 Grammy Awards, where Bad Bunny had a big night with an album of the year win for "Debí Tirar Más Fotos."Meanwhile, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi are continuing to step out on red carpets for "Wuthering Heights." February will also see the return of New York Fashion Week, plus the premieres of highly anticipated movies like "Scream 7" and TV shows like ABC's reboot of "Scrubs."
Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of February 2026 so far, starting with Bad Bunny attending the Grammys on Feb. 1 in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Billie Eilish, left, and Finneas O'Connell " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chappell Roan " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Doechii " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Justin Bieber " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Olivia Dean " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Trevor Noah, left, and Gayle King " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Addison Rae " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Harry Styles " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jelly Roll" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Miley Cyrus " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Tate Mcrae " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rex Linn, left, and Reba McEntire " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Charli XCX attends the W Magazine, Charli XCX, and Saint Laurent Grammy after party at Bar Marmont on Feb. 1 in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Paris Hilton " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See Halle Berry, Bad Bunny in the best celebrity photos of February
Bad Bunnyand "Wuthering Heights" have dominated the month of February, as the march to the 2026 Oscars continues.Stars have been stepping out this month at movie premieres and awards shows, including the Grammys and the Independent Spirit Awards. Plus,New York Fashion Week 2026is underway, featuring appearances by Rihanna and Anne Hathaway.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of February 2026 so far, starting with Bad Bunny, left, and Lady Gaga performing during the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.
Former Ye employee says he was fired over renovation dispute
Around November 2021, Saxon allegedly injured his back "severely" while working on the project. Although he reported the injury to Ye and requested time off to rest, Saxon said the Yeezy founder ignored his request.
That same month, Saxon was terminated from his project manager role after he said he refused to comply with Ye's "dangerous" demand to remove "all of the electricity and windows from the house."
"'If you don't do what I say, you're not going to work for me,'" Ye reportedly told Saxon, according to the lawsuit. "'I'm not going to be your friend anymore, and you'll just see me on TV."
Ye speaks out:Rapper apologizes, says he's not 'an antisemite' in full-page newspaper ad
How much money is Ye accuser demanding?
Saxon is requesting more than $1 million in unpaid wages and loss of earnings as a result of his employment with Ye.
When does Ye trial start?
Jury selection in the case is scheduled to begin Monday, Feb. 23, at the Los Angeles County Superior Court's Stanley Mosk Courthouse.
Will Ye testify in Malibu mansion trial?
According to a statement from Saxon's attorney, Neama Rahmani, Ye is expected to take the stand during the trial.
How long will Ye trial last?
The rapper's trial, overseen by Judge Brock T. Hammond, is expected to last one week.
Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ye Malibu mansion trial – What to know about rapper's lawsuit
