Kanye West has been ordered to pay $76,245 in legal fees after a California judge ruled that his attempt to dismiss a harassment lawsuit on free speech grounds was “frivolous.”
The case was filed in February by an anonymous woman (Jane Doe) who accused the rapper of subjecting her to antisemitic remarks, sexual harassment, retaliation, and humiliation. She alleged that Kanye West called himself “Hitler,” sent her nude photos of another woman, and pressured her to work on his “Yeezy Porn” concept, which she did not want to do.
Kanye West’s legal team argued that the case raised First Amendment issues, but Los Angeles County judge Nicholas F. Daum upheld an earlier ruling, calling West’s motion a “baseless stalling tactic.”
“We certainly do think there are very interesting First Amendment issues that could lead to additional appeals,” West’s lawyer, Andrew Cherkasky, said after the hearing.
Jane Doe’s attorney, Carney Shegerian, welcomed the decision, saying:
“Ye waged a relentless and deliberate campaign of antisemitism and misogyny against my client. His appalling treatment of women and fixation on Nazism… expose his motives. We need to stop excusing Ye’s behavior.”
This lawsuit is one of several legal battles the 47-year-old faces, including allegations of sex trafficking and sexual assault from a former assistant, as well as lawsuits tied to sample clearances and controversies surrounding his Donda Academy.
If West’s latest appeal is denied, the court will move toward setting a trial date.
