Ye, the music mogul formerly known as Kanye West, lost a bid Wednesday to force a plaintiff suing him in Los Angeles Superior Court to reveal his identity publicly. The ruling allows the man, identified only as John Doe, to continue pursuing his claims anonymously.
Doe alleges Ye appointed him “director of intelligence” and tasked him with investigating Kim Kardashian and Bianca Censori, two of Ye’s former wives. According to the complaint, Ye believed both women and their families had links to crime, including alleged sex trafficking. Doe said he was directed to follow Censori during trips to Australia and probe Kardashian’s background.
In seeking anonymity, Doe argued he feared retaliation from Ye and his fan base. He described receiving death threats and claimed Ye told him he was “dead” to him after Doe reported alleged misconduct at Donda Academy, the private school Ye founded.
John Doe Sues Kanye West
Doe also alleged Yeezy’s operations manager warned him his family would be in danger if he remained involved. He identifies as a disabled veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder. He contends that disclosure of his name could endanger his safety and health.
Judge Holly Fujie sided with Doe, writing that “plaintiff is not concealing his identity from defendants, he is merely seeking to withhold it from the public.” She found that Ye’s ability to conduct discovery and depositions would not be impaired.
Attorneys for Ye, 48, had argued the anonymity ruling deprived them of the ability to assess Doe’s credibility, employment history, and potential bias. They also claimed it impeded their defense against reputational harm. Along with Ye, Yeezy LLC is named as a defendant.
Doe’s suit, filed October 10, 2023, alleges he witnessed harassment and retaliation inside Ye’s businesses that drove employees to resign. He claims he too was retaliated against after reporting concerns about Donda Academy.
The case marks another legal challenge for Ye, whose ventures and personal life have frequently drawn courtroom scrutiny. With the court’s ruling, Doe’s claims against Ye and Yeezy LLC will move forward under the shield of anonymity. This ensures the proceedings unfold without disclosing his identity publicly.
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