Rapper Kanye West Faces Serious Allegations of Misconduct from Former Assistant Lauren Pisciotta
Kanye West, the polarizing rapper and fashion mogul, finds himself embroiled in a legal battle with his former assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, who has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and unpaid severance, according to court documents obtained by Page Six (Serna, 2024).
5 Key Points
- Lauren Pisciotta, a former assistant and collaborator of Kanye West, has filed a lawsuit against the rapper alleging sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and failure to pay promised severance.
- Pisciotta claims West subjected her to vulgar text messages, explicit photos and videos, and inappropriate behavior, such as allegedly masturbating while on the phone with her.
- The lawsuit also alleges that West fired Pisciotta in October 2022 and failed to pay her promised $3 million severance.
- West’s legal team has vehemently denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit “baseless” and accusing Pisciotta of blackmail, extortion, and inappropriate behavior.
- This legal battle comes on the heels of another lawsuit against West, in which a former employee at his Christian school accused him of racial discrimination.
The Disturbing Allegations Against Kanye West
According to the lawsuit, Lauren Pisciotta began working with Kanye West in July 2021 as he prepared to launch his Yeezy fashion line. She was offered a substantial $1 million salary with the condition that she would be available to West around the clock (Serna, 2024). However, the filing details numerous instances of alleged misconduct by West that created a hostile work environment.
Pisciotta claims that West sent her vulgar text messages, explicit photos, and videos and allegedly masturbated while on the phone with her. In one instance, West allegedly locked them in a room together and masturbated next to her before falling asleep (Serna, 2024). The lawsuit also alleges that West became angry when Pisciotta rejected his advances to “date or have sex” with him.
Wrongful Termination and Unpaid Severance
Despite being promoted to chief of staff of several of West’s companies in September 2022 and offered a $4 million salary, Pisciotta’s employment worsened just a month later when West allegedly fired her (Serna, 2024). The lawsuit states that Pisciotta was offered $3 million in severance, which she reportedly never received, adding a breach of contract to her list of grievances against the rapper.
Kanye West’s Legal Team Fires Back
In response to the allegations, West’s legal team issued a scathing statement to Page Six, denying the claims and accusing Pisciotta of blackmail and extortion (Serna, 2024). They allege that Pisciotta actively pursued West sexually and engaged in inappropriate behavior, such as sending unsolicited nude images and twerking in the office during business hours.
West’s lawyers also claim that Pisciotta stole the rapper’s cell phone in an attempt to destroy evidence that would contradict her claims and that she demanded unreasonable sums of money, including a $4 million annual salary (Serna, 2024). They argue that Pisciotta’s behavior is inconsistent with someone who claims to have been sexually harassed or experienced a hostile work environment.
A Pattern of Legal Troubles for West
This explosive lawsuit comes just over a month after West was accused of racial discrimination by Benjamin Deshon Provo, a black former security guard at his Christian school, Donda Academy (Serna, 2024). Provo alleged that West “screamed at and berated black employees” and “regularly expressed negative beliefs associated with prominent black leaders.”
As the legal battles mount, it remains to be seen how these cases will unfold and their impact on Kanye West’s career and reputation. The allegations against the rapper are serious and, if proven true, could have far-reaching consequences.
Kanye West’s Misconduct FAQ
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What specific allegations has Lauren Pisciotta made against Kanye West in her lawsuit?
Pisciotta alleges that West subjected her to sexual harassment, including vulgar text messages, explicit photos and videos, and inappropriate behavior, such as masturbating while on the phone with her. She also claims wrongful termination and failure to pay promised severance (Serna, 2024).
How has Kanye West’s legal team responded to the allegations made by Lauren Pisciotta?
West’s legal team has vehemently denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit “baseless” and accusing Pisciotta of blackmail, extortion, and engaging in inappropriate behavior herself (Serna, 2024).
What other legal issues is Kanye West currently facing?
In addition to the lawsuit filed by Lauren Pisciotta, West is also facing allegations of racial discrimination from a former employee at his Christian school, Donda Academy (Serna, 2024).
What are the potential consequences for Kanye West if the allegations against him are proven true?
If the allegations against West are substantiated, he could face significant legal and financial repercussions and damage to his reputation and career.
How have these lawsuits affected Kanye West’s public image?
The lawsuits against Kanye West, which involve serious allegations of sexual harassment and racial discrimination, have further tarnished his already controversial public image. The outcome of these cases could have a lasting impact on his career and legacy.
Citation:
Serna, V. (2024, June 3). Kanye West sued for sexual harassment, wrongful termination by former assistant. Page Six. https://pagesix.com/2024/06/03/entertainment/kanye-west-sued-for-sexual-harassment-wrongful-termination-by-former-assistant/
