Kanye West Faces New Allegations: Sexual Harassment and Breach of Contract
Kanye West, who legally changed his name to Ye in 2021, is embroiled in new legal troubles as former assistant Lauren Pisciotta has filed a complaint against him. According to American media outlet TMZ, Pisciotta's lawsuit, filed on May 3, 2022, accuses the rapper of sexual harassment, breach of contract, wrongful termination, and creating a hostile work environment.
Pisciotta was reportedly hired as an "executive assistant/personal assistant" in July 2021. Known for her successful OnlyFans account, which earned her approximately one million dollars annually, Pisciotta's professional relationship with West began to deteriorate by 2022. She claims in the lawsuit that West demanded she delete her OnlyFans account in exchange for an annual salary of one million dollars.
The allegations detail disturbing interactions, including sexually explicit messages and phone calls where West allegedly masturbated. Pisciotta says she received numerous suggestive messages and explicit videos, including content featuring West with a model. She also claims that West showed her personal, intimate photographs of his current and former employees.
In October 2022, Pisciotta was fired, having been promised a $3 million severance package, which she asserts was never paid. Through his legal representative, West has denied the allegations, calling them 'baseless' and accusing Pisciotta of blackmail and extortion.
This lawsuit is one among several recent legal issues for West. Other complaints have surfaced from his former employees at the Donda Academy and allegations involving the family's estate, including accusations from his ex-wife's family.
As the legal battles continue, the comments on social media remain polarized, with some users supporting Pisciotta while others defend West.
- The lawsuit also throws light on the controversial and tumultuous environment within West's professional circles. Pisciotta recalls incidents where West would talk about work matters only to turn the conversation towards explicit fantasies.
- In another reported incident during a flight to Paris, West allegedly coerced Pisciotta into a private room on the plane and masturbated in her presence. These series of events led Pisciotta to suffer significant emotional distress and psychological harm.
- She further detailed that many of West's employees experienced similar behavior but feared speaking up due to the power disparity.
- Several pending lawsuits against West also mention his erratic and controlling behavior. A former physical education teacher at Donda Academy, Isaiah Meadows, cited poor working conditions and unpaid wages. Professors Cecilia Hailey and Chekarey Byers echoed these sentiments, adding accusations of racial discrimination.
- In addition to his domestic controversies, West faced legal challenges regarding intellectual property. In early 2024, Donna Summer's children sued him for allegedly incorporating parts of her 1977 hit 'I Feel Love' without permission into his own track.
