Ye, the artist once known as Kanye West, is now facing another costly legal turn as a Los Angeles judge ruled that he must pay close to $100,000 in attorneys’ fees tied to his failed attempt to dismiss a lawsuit accusing him of antisemitic abuse and gender-based discrimination.
The case, brought by Ye’s former marketing specialist in his clothing department, identified in court records as Jane Doe, includes serious claims of workplace harassment and retaliation. Court filings reveal disturbing text messages allegedly sent by Ye, including “I am a Nazi” and “Welcome to the first day of working for Hitler.”
Ye’s legal team tried to dismiss the lawsuit by invoking California’s anti-SLAPP law, a statute meant to protect free speech from frivolous lawsuits. His lawyers argued that the messages in question were part of what they called a “continuous, provocative performance” and should be seen as protected expression under the First Amendment.
But that defense didn’t fly. In June, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Theresa M. Traber rejected the argument, stating that Ye’s alleged behavior cannot be protected as artistic expression when it takes place in a private work setting.
Judge Traber went further in her criticism, calling Ye’s motion “rife with defects, specious arguments and misstatements of law,” and labeled it an attempt to stall the legal process. She made it clear that both Ye and his company must face the case head-on in court.
Now, Doe’s legal team has filed a motion requesting reimbursement for the cost of fighting the dismissed motion. On July 30, they asked the court to award $99,720 for the 106.7 billable hours they spent, charging rates between $650 and $1,100 per hour.
Sounds like Ye, is bracing for another fight. But this one is in the hands of the judge.