Kanye West’s Malibu Mansion Lawsuit Heads to Trial as Judge Warns Against “Revealing Clothing” in Court
A Los Angeles judge overseeing next week’s civil trial involving Kanye West, now known as Ye, issued a pointed reminder Friday: anyone entering the courtroom must comply with strict dress standards.
At a final status conference ahead of the 12-day jury trial, Judge Brock T. Hammond told attorneys that all parties and witnesses must follow the court’s basic dress code. “No hats, sunglasses, or revealing clothing. No drama,” the judge said, adding that anyone who fails to comply will be denied entry. Witnesses who arrive dressed inappropriately, he warned, will be turned away.
While the judge did not reference specific individuals, the warning comes amid heightened attention surrounding Ye’s public controversies and the unconventional fashion choices of his wife, Bianca Censori. Both are expected to testify. Defense attorney Andrew Cherkasky said Friday that Censori may also sit at the defense table as a representative of Ye’s company.
The trial centers on a lawsuit filed by Tony Saxon, a construction worker who alleges he was hired in September 2021 to oversee renovations at Ye’s beachfront Malibu property, originally designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Tadao Ando. Ye purchased the property for $57.3 million in 2021. Over time, the home was stripped down to a concrete shell before being sold in September 2024 for $21 million.
Saxon claims he was promised $20,000 per week to manage the project while living onsite and providing round-the-clock security. According to the complaint, he received only a single payment. He alleges he slept at the construction site without a bed and struggled to comply with what he describes as increasingly extreme directives. Saxon contends he was terminated after raising safety concerns.
Among the most serious allegations are claims that Ye directed the removal of all electricity and windows from the residence and instructed that large generators be used as the sole power source during renovations. Saxon says he warned that the plan posed a significant fire risk and created dangerous working conditions. He alleges Ye dismissed his concerns, labeled him “an enemy,” and ordered him to leave the property.
In an Instagram post, Saxon described Ye’s vision for the house as “open concept but off the grid,” adding that plans allegedly included eliminating plumbing and stairs and building a bomb shelter. Saxon also claims he sustained a back injury while working on the project. His lawsuit seeks unpaid wages, medical expenses and damages for emotional distress and lost earnings.
Friday’s hearing also addressed security concerns. Cherkasky told the court he was worried that Ye’s presence could draw large crowds and create safety risks. He referenced a recent courthouse appearance by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg that resulted in a chaotic scene. Cherkasky requested a private space within the courthouse for his client during breaks.
Judge Hammond declined to offer special accommodations. “There is no special treatment for anyone in this courthouse,” he said, though he confirmed that additional security would be present and that a deputy would be assigned to the courtroom.
The case marks the first of several civil complaints filed against Ye in recent years to proceed to a jury trial. Since 2022, Ye has faced multiple lawsuits and significant public backlash following antisemitic remarks and allegations of fostering a hostile workplace environment within his Yeezy brand. Though he has issued public apologies, the legal and reputational consequences have continued.
Unless a settlement is reached in the coming days, jury selection will begin next week. The trial is expected to focus closely on the working conditions at the Malibu property, the terms of Saxon’s employment and whether the alleged directives created unlawful or unsafe circumstances.
