Jesus walks, but not to the bank, apparently.
Kanye West is currently facing two class-action lawsuits alleging mistreatment of artists and staff for his extravagant Sunday Service concert pay, according to reports.
Filed last summer in Los Angeles, the lawsuits are reportedly split between the artists and the team; Frank Kim is representing over 500 artists, while lawyers Harris & Ruble are focusing on approximately 300 team members.
Some of the stories in the process, reported by UK Sun, are shocking, although now sadly predictable tales of the gig economy: a hairdresser named Raina Leon said she had to wait 120 days for a check for $ 550 of the work done in November 2019, which at the time was less a $ 20 transfer fee deducted by the West company.
Michael Pearson, an artist, claimed that he received a daily flat fee of $ 250 and, regardless of his schedule, a meal or rest in the bathroom was not allowed, and also claims that the artists stayed all day or sat on the floor – because not enough chairs had been purchased – and they returned home when transport was not available for them.
The lawsuits also concern West’s “opera,” Nebuchadnezzar, presented at the Hollywood Bowl in November 2019, which allegedly violated California labor laws by not paying employees on time – or never – and denying overtime, meals and bathroom breaks.
Sources told Sun that lawyers are tracking other members of the Sunday Service series and believe that the final number of claimants could be close to 1,000 people.
“Nobody knows how involved Kanye himself was, if he knew what was going on, since it was all last minute, he was terribly busy. Whether it was mismanagement, accidentally or on purpose, this is a very strong case, ”said the source to the vehicle.
The Los Angeles County Superior Court has joined the lawsuits and Sun sources estimate that Kanye’s payment could reach $ 30 million if he decides to fight after settling with the plaintiffs and paying his legal bills.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that West, 43, is still dealing with another Sunday Service-related lawsuit, this one from MyChannel Inc., which claims that its employees were paralyzed for six months of work on technology related to the Sunday Service. The lawsuit, filed in August 2020, says West’s failure to pay is tantamount to technology theft.
We assume this means that West’s claim in September to spend $ 50 million on Sunday services in 2019 will have to be audited.
And, of course, all of this happens while West is preparing for Kim Kardashian’s divorce, as reported exclusively by Page Six. Earlier this week, he returned to LA from Wyoming.
“He understands that Kim’s side has to turn that she is tired of him. In fact, he is tired of getting involved with [the] Kardashians for a long time, ”a source shared. “Especially her mother [Kris Jenner], which stands out in all the major decisions it makes. “
West and Kardashian have four children: daughter North, 7, son Saint, 5, daughter Chicago, 3, and son Salm, 1.
Page Six contacted West for comment.