Latest news with #DondaAcademy
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Kanye West undergoing treatment for mystery ailment at Spain retreat, skips deposition in legal battle with ex employee
Rapper Kanye West skipped appearing at a deposition in his ongoing legal battle with ex-employee Benjamin Provo recently. But the musician seemed to have a good reason for doing so. According to InTouch Weekly, Kanye is in Spain 'under treatment' for an illness at a retreat. InTouch accessed court documents from his ongoing case and stated that Kanye's (who now goes by Ye) lawyer, Eduardo Martorell, revealed the news of him being in Spain. as part of the musician's court battle with Benjamin Provo. In the filing, Ye's lawyer said the musician's doctor 'of the past nine years specifically stated within a letter that, in his medical opinion, Ye should continue to receive treatment at a retreat he is attending until the end of May in Mallorca, Spain and that any depositions should be taken remotely.' Kanye and his wife, Bianca Censori, have been spotted around Spain for weeks. However, the court documents did not specify what Kanye is undergoing treatment for. In the new filing from May 20, Kanye's legal team defended him skipping the deposition, saying the rapper was willing to appear virtually. His attorney claimed that Kanye was 'unequivocally offered to appear for deposition today, with one accommodation – that it be taken remotely. That was it. No further conditions were attached.' However, a remote deposition was not held. The deposition of Kanye's wife, Bianca, was also cancelled at the last minute, his lawyers claimed. Benjamin Provo, a former security guard for Kanye's Donda Academy, sued the rapper and his companies for wrongful termination and discrimination. After being hired in 2021, Benjamin said he was given more duties without raise in pay. He claimed Kanye had a disdain towards black authors and employees. 'While Kanye was polite and attentive to his non-Black counterparts, Kanye was always abrupt, abrasive and demeaning of [Benjamin] and his Black counterparts,' the suit claimed. Kanye has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kanye West Receiving ‘Treatment' at ‘Retreat' in Spain Approved By His Doctor: Court Docs
Kanye West is currently receiving treatment at a retreat in Spain and will continue to until the end of the month, In Touch can exclusively report. Ye's lawyer, Eduardo Martorell, revealed the news as part of the musician's court battle with his former employee Benjamin Provo. As In Touch first reported, Ye, 47, was ordered to be deposed by Benjamin after months of back and forth. In the new filing on Tuesday, May 20, Ye's new attorney claimed the entertainer was 'unequivocally offered to appear for deposition today, with one accommodation – that it be taken remotely. That was it. No further conditions were attached.' Ye's lawyer claimed Benjamin and his legal team refused to proceed with a remote deposition. In the filing, Ye's lawyer said the musician's doctor 'of the past nine years specifically stated within a letter that, in his medical opinion, Ye should continue to receive treatment at a retreat he is attending until the end of May in Mallorca, Spain and that any depositions should be taken remotely.' Ye and his wife, Bianca Censori, have been spotted around Spain for weeks. In addition, Ye's lawyer said the owner of the retreat Ye is attending 'also recommend via written letter that [Ye] stay at the retreat.' His lawyer argued, 'Once more, other than requesting the accommodation that the deposition take place remotely, Defendant Ye was willing, ready, and able to appear for his deposition today. Despite the fact [Benjamin's] counsel refused to enter into a protective order. Despite the fact he was at a retreat. Despite the fact he is 10,000 miles away." Ye said Benjamin also canceled the deposition of Bianca, 30, only 15 minutes prior to the deposition. His lawyer noted, 'Thus, Ms. Censori spent significant time preparing, blocked her schedule, and was dressed and prepared for deposition." As In Touch first reported, Benjamin accused Ye and his companies of wrongful termination and discrimination. He claimed he was hired in 2021 to work as a security guard for Ye's Donda Academy. Benjamin claimed Ye gave him more duties over time. In court documents, Benjamin alleged Ye had a disdain towards black authors and employees. The complaint claimed, 'Specifically, in or around mid-2023, Kanye required that anyone associated with Donda dispose of books related to Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and other prominent figures in the Black community. Further, Kanye regularly expressed negative beliefs associated with prominent Black leaders that advocated for or sought to advance the Black community. Such offensive opinions were particularly troubling to [Benjamin], who is unapologetically Black.' Benjamin claimed Ye treated his non-Black employees differently than his Black employees. The suit added, 'While Kanye was polite and attentive to his non-Black counterparts, Kanye was always abrupt, abrasive and demeaning of [Benjamin] and his Black counterparts.' Benjamin claimed he was pressured to cut off his dreadlocks, which he wears for his Muslim faith. He claimed to have been terminated due to his refusal. Ye and his companies denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Ye's lawyer argued, 'Defendants are informed and believe, and based on such information and belief allege that Defendants were justified in doing any and/or all of the acts alleged in the Complaint.' The case is ongoing.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Kanye West assigns Bianca Censori his power of attorney in 2024 lawsuit amid marriage troubles
Rapper Kanye West, aka Ye, has assigned his wife, Bianca Censori, his power of attorney (POA), amid rumours of their split. An In Touch report claims that this was revealed when Ye was asked to provide documents for an ongoing 2024 lawsuit against him. (Also Read: Did Kanye West really sue Kim Kardashian for neglecting their kids, going to Met Gala? Here's the truth) A POA gives someone the power to execute business transactions and manage their personal affairs. According to court documents obtained by the publication, Ye dropped the bombshell about Bianca during the 2024 lawsuit against him and his company for discrimination and wrongful termination. For weeks, Benjamin Deshon Provo, who filed the lawsuit against Kanye, has claimed that he is struggling to obtain documents. During the back-and-forth, Ye revealed that Bianca is his POA and serves as his agent. The rapper also stated that he would turn over a document titled Designation of Agency, but wouldn't do it without a protective order in place. However, the complainant reportedly 'scoffed' at the idea that a protective order was necessary for it. Kanye's lawyer, Eduardo Martorell, noted that the document was: 'Confidential in nature and shall not be used, disclosed, or disseminated for any purpose outside of this proceeding, except as expressly permitted by law or further order of the Court. Responding Party reserves all rights to seek further protective measures if necessary to prevent misuse or improper disclosure,' according to the publication. Benjamin, however, claims that despite four requests to provide that Bianca was Kanye's POA, the rapper failed to provide any documentation supporting it. He also asked that the rapper sanction of $2,610 for failing to turn over documents and be ordered to produce them immediately. Benjamin claims in his lawsuit that he was hired to work as security at Donda Academy in Los Angeles and later given duties at Sunday Service and another one of Ye's businesses. Over time, he claims to have noticed black employees being treated differently from white ones. '(Benjamin) and other Black employees, in relation to his non-Black counterparts,' claims his lawsuit. Ye and other employees also allegedly pressured Benjamin to cut off his dreadlocks he wears due to his Muslim faith. He claims to have been terminated for refusing to comply with that demand. Kanye was ordered to be deposed in the case after months of delay. The publication notes that Bianca, too, will be 'grilled' under oath.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kanye West's burned-down church subject of arson probe following Kim Kardashian viral 'hoax'
Kanye West appears to be ignoring his large real estate holdings in Los Angeles and one of them is now the subject of an arson probe. A church building owned by the rapper in the Northridge area burned down in October 2024 and investigators have been suspicious since then. The Los Angeles Fire Department is looking into the blaze which began around 12:45 am on October 14, 2024, according to The US Sun. The flames, which took about 30 minutes to put out, were contained to just one building, causing officials to consider it might have been purposely set. The outlet also reported the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety has inspected the location twice, once in January and again in March. West, 47, has not paid for the inspections, and as such, two liens have been put on the property he bought for $1.5 million in January 2023 from the adjacent Cornerstone Christian Church. The building was expected to be a possible location for his controversial Donda Academy, which has now been closed, or perhaps another Yeezy location. The Can't Tell Me Nothing artist has also neglected other buildings he owns, including the $6.7 million building he bought on Melrose Avenue, which was intended to be his Yeezy headquarters. Taxes on that building, along with several condos and a house he bought in Calabasas, CA following his divorce from Kim Kardashian, all have taxes due, totaling into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. If those taxes and the fines being accrued are not paid, the rapper could lose those properties. This information comes as the Gold Digger rapper said a cease and desist letter allegedly sent to ex-wife Kim Kardashian, 44, and reported on by TMZ, was a hoax. In the disputed missive, the sender claimed the reality star was not allowing him access to their children, North, 11; Saint, 9; Chicago , 7; and Psalm, 5, while also accusing her of leaving North unattended in a car while she entered the Met Gala on Monday. has reached out to Kardashian's and West's reps for comment. In the meantime, West is facing backlash after the release of his most recent single, Heil Hitler (Hooligan Version). The song was released on Thursday, which also happened to be the 80th anniversary of VE day, marking the allied forces WWII victory over the Nazis. In the lyrics, West rapped that he had 'so much anger' inside of him adding: 'these people took my kids from me and they froze my bank account.' He claimed that be became a Nazi because of his custody battle, singing: 'With all of my money and fame I still don't get to see my children / N*****s see my Twitter but they don't see how I be feeling / So I became a Nazi, yeah b***h, I'm the villain.' The line, 'N****r, heil Hitler' is repeated 15 times in the song. Sources close to Kardashian told that she is now taking extra precautions and has hired guards to be with her 24/7 amid his erratic behavior. The reality star has also told relatives to be careful sharing anything about her children online, the source revealed. The Skims founder has reportedly instructed her closest allies not to post about their locations or upload photos or messages that could identify where they might be. 'She's absolutely horrified,' the source told the Daily Mail. 'Like every time things get bad with Kanye, somehow they get worse.'
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Kanye West's $1.5m burned-down church building is subject of arson probe as his real estate tax bill reaches $448k
KANYE West's derelict church building - which was burnt to the ground - is now the subject of an arson investigation, The U.S. Sun can reveal. The rapper's rundown property in Northridge, north of Los Angeles, went up in flames in October 2024. 6 6 It was brought down months after Kanye left it to rot, much to the annoyance of neighbors who called it an "eyesore" and expressed their concern about squatters on the land. Now, The U.S. Sun can confirm the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety has inspected the place twice, once in January, and again in March. But Kanye, 47, is nowhere to be seen and hasn't paid for the inspections. LADBS has placed two liens on the now-empty plot of land, which Kanye bought for $1.5 million in January 2023. They're not the only ones to be looking into the blaze, as the city's fire department is also looking into possible arson, as it was lucky that neighboring properties did not burn down. Kanye's property, bought from the adjacent Cornerstone Christian Church, was either going to be a possible location for his controversial Donda Academy or a Yeezy Headquarters. But eventually, it became neither and was abandoned. The fire that overtook the building began on October 14 last year, just after 12.45 am, authorities claimed. NEIGHBORS' ANGER No injuries were reported but one nearby residence did sustain superficial damage from the intense heat and flames as a crew battled the blaze for more than 30 minutes. Neighbors had previously complained about the boarded-up windows, old shopping carts, and trash dumped on the land. Kanye West's secret property deals revealed as he wins battle to buy $1.5m church space and Yeezy headquarters for $6.7m One said at the time, "I had no idea Kanye bought it but … it's not a good look for the neighborhood. "He needs to clean it up, you don't want a bum breaking in and living there." Yellow caution tape now surrounds the land and a broken fence with a no trespassing sign is leaning against a nearby tree. Aerial footage obtained by The U.S. Sun showed that all remains of the place are piles of debris. It's unknown whether Kanye is even aware the property burned down, and a rep for the rapper did not respond. Kanye is currently in Spain after fleeing America following a backlash over his Hitler comments on X. He stormed out of a Piers Morgan interview that aired this week after he was questioned about his vile posts. This month, Kanye racked up yet more property tax arrears on five of his luxury homes and offices, bringing the total to an eye-watering $448,254. In January, The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed he owed at least $365,592 in taxes including penalties for non-payment. 6 6 Now, a further $82,662 can be added to that tab, as he's failed to pay the first half of 2025 on time. Each month he defaults, another $3,272 in penalties is added to the bill. His church has now strung up arrears of approximately $49,200 and $358 per month penalties - as he's never paid taxes on the plot. The biggest debt is at his derelict $6.7 million Yeezy Headquarters on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood. It's accumulated arrears of $202,287 and is being stung with $1,435-a-month penalties. Exclusive drone footage obtained by The U.S. Sun previously showed workers had ripped off the roof at the 7,400-square-foot space. In one image, a mountain of trash can be seen at the entrance to the building, with discarded items piling up inside the property. One worker could be seen digging in a mound of dirt, with vehicles situated throughout the space. Piles of different materials were dotted around and work is now beginning on a huge structure in the center of the building. Meanwhile, Kanye has never paid tax on a four-bed mansion in Calabasas that he acquired from his divorce from Kim Kardashian. He also owns apartments in Calabasas and Westlake Village which have unpaid tax debts. 6 6
