Kanye West’s former chief of staff, Lauren Pisciotta, has escalated her legal battle against the rapper by adding serious new allegations of rape and sex trafficking to her lawsuit. The amended complaint, filed on Wednesday, accuses Kanye West of using manipulation, coercion, and false career promises to sexually assault her.
Pisciotta had initially sued West last year, citing sexual harassment and various workplace violations. However, the latest filing marks a significant shift in tone and scope, using the word “rape” for the first time to describe an incident that allegedly occurred in 2021.
According to the complaint, the alleged assault took place in a San Francisco hotel room during the writing sessions for Kanye West’s Donda album.
“Ye used his body to pin and restrain Ms Pisciotta, restricting her movement and preventing her from leaving the bed,” the filing states.
“Ms Pisciotta froze in shock and fear but continued to plead with Ye and beg him to stop. After some time, Ye ended the rape, apologised, and exited Ms Pisciotta’s hotel room.”
Pisciotta began working for West as an assistant and was later promoted to chief of staff. She alleges that he drew her into his inner circle by promising to support her ambitions in the music industry — a promise she now says was part of a manipulative pattern of behavior.
The complaint claims Kanye West used his influence and power to lure Pisciotta into vulnerable situations under the guise of professional collaboration, which ultimately led to unwanted and traumatic encounters.
Pisciotta’s case joins a growing number of legal actions that have been filed against West in recent years, many of which accuse him of abusive behavior, mistreatment of employees, and sexual misconduct.
As of now, Kanye West has not issued a public response to the amended allegations. The lawsuit adds another layer of scrutiny to the rapper, who remains a polarizing figure both in the entertainment world and beyond.
