Jury orders Ye to pay man who sued rapper for labor violations

More than two years afterYewassued by a manoverseeing construction at his Malibu home, a Los Angeles jury mostly sided against thecontroversial rapper, formerly known asKanye West.

On Wednesday, March 11, the jury handed down a verdict finding Ye liable for damages related to injuries alleged by Tony Saxon – a project manager who also performed full-time security duties during construction on the waterfront property in 2021 and claimed various labor violations during the job – perVarietyandRolling Stone.

However, the jurors reportedly did not find that Saxon had been wrongfully terminated and decided to not award punitive damages as they did not agree that Ye acted with "malice, oppression, or fraud."

The Yeezy founder was ordered to pay Saxon $140,000, as well as compensation for Saxon's legal fees – a far cry from the $1.7 million in compensatory damages Saxon's team was seeking.

Saxon's attorney, West Coast Trial Lawyers Employment Chair Ronald Zambrano, in a statement called the result a "mixed verdict" that was "a vindication for our client."

"Ye's lawyers called [Saxon] a liar, a fraud, and a malingerer in court. His medical records, bank records, and personal family history were dissected, mocked, and vilified. Yeezy representative Milo Yiannopoulos maligned him and our firm in the press. Ye's team demanded that Tony pay them to resolve the case and issue a public apology. Most people would have folded," he said.

Born Kanye Omari West, Ye transformed himself from a college dropout in Chicago to an undisputable icon of music and fashion. But a string of controversies has the rapper facing a fallout. In October 2022, several companies, including Adidas and Balenciaga fashion house, cut ties with the star after he made antisemitic remarks.

Look back on Ye's life and career, from his marriage and divorce from Kim Kardashian to his polarizing political statements. Here, Ye and Bianca Censori attend the 67th Grammy Awards on Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Ye gestures upon arriving at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on July 11, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Ye hit the 2025 Grammys red carpet donning a black shirt and pants, sunglasses and a chain. Meanwhile, wife Bianca Censori wore a black fur coat that she removed to pose in a nearly nude, see-through dress as photographers captured the couple's appearance.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Ye and Bianca Censori attend the Marni fall/winter 2024 fashion show on Feb. 23, 2024, in Milan, Italy.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Ye and Bianca Censori are seen in the stands during the UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg football match Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid at the San Siro stadium in Milan on Feb. 20, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Charlie Wilson, left, and Ye attend Wilson's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony on Jan. 29, 2024, in Los Angeles.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Ye attended the premiere for "The Greatest Lie Ever Sold: George Floyd and the Rise of BLM," a documentary by conservative political commentator Candace Owens, on Oct. 12, 2022.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> during an appearance on the “Drink Champs” podcast a few days after the event found the rapper making controversial statements on the manner of Floyd's death." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Ye and his children Saint West, Chicago West and Psalm West, who he shares with ex Kim Kardashian, attended the Balenciaga womenswear spring/summer 2023 show at Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 2, 2022.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> gave an impassioned speech about Diddy, who he called his "brother."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> were rumored to be romantically linked at the time." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> then-girlfriend Julia Fox, an actress and model, attended the Kenzo Fall/Winter 2022/2023 show during Paris Fashion Week on Jan. 23, 2022." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> temporarily moved into the venue following the event while he finished work on his 10th studio album "Donda," named after his late mother Donda West." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Easter Sunday service during the 2019 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival on April 21, 2019." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> "feel like Superman." Trump called him "a smart cookie."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See Kanye West, Ye, the polarizing rapper, fashion mogul

Born Kanye Omari West, Ye transformed himself from a college dropout in Chicago to an undisputable icon of music and fashion. But a string of controversies has the rapper facing a fallout. In October 2022, several companies, including Adidas and Balenciaga fashion house,cut ties with the starafter he made antisemitic remarks.Look back on Ye's life and career, from his marriage and divorce from Kim Kardashian to his polarizing political statements. Here, Ye and Bianca Censori attend the 67th Grammy Awards on Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles.

"In true David-vs.-Goliath fashion, Mr. Saxon stood firm against one of the biggest celebrities in the world, with the truth on his side."

Attorney Neama Rahmani, West Coast Trial Lawyers president, admitted the $140,000 "award was less than we asked for" but noted that "the California Labor Code allows us to recover our attorney's fees and costs" and, as a result, "the judgment against Ye should be more than $1 million."

In his lawsuit against Ye, Saxon accused the rapper, as well as 10 anonymous "Doe" defendants, of disability discrimination, violations of multiple labor codes, unpaid wages and reimbursements, and wrongful retaliatory termination.

Around November 2021, Saxon allegedly injured his back "severely" while working on the project. Although he reported the injury to Ye and requested time off to rest, Saxon said the Yeezy founder ignored his request. The former employee also detailed the "dangerous working conditions" he and his coworkers navigated, including sleeping arrangements located near open insulation and a lack of safety equipment for demolition work.

Saxon alleged he shared his complaints about the unsafe working environment with Ye on "numerous occasions," but the rapper allegedly took no action.

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'Newfound, much-needed clarity':Ye apologizes, says he's not 'an antisemite'

Ye's team says accuser received 'only a small fraction of what his lawyers demanded'

In a statement shared with USA TODAY, Yeezy spokesperson Milo Yiannopoulos characterized the verdict as the jury rejecting "almost all of [Saxon's] claims."

"Although the jury found that Saxon qualified as an employee for certain purposes, they awarded no damages for lost wages, overtime, waiting-time penalties, retaliation, punitive damages, or any other statutory penalties," the statement read. "The only damages awarded were $140,000 related to Saxon's claim that he was injured while working on the property."

He also foreshadowed future legal action, writing, "The jury also found that Saxon acted in the capacity of a contractor and did not qualify for the employee exception under California's contractor licensing statutes. Under California law, an unlicensed contractor cannot recover compensation for work requiring a license

"Based on those findings, we believe the damages award is legally barred and will be seeking post-trial relief from the court."

Catch up on the case:Why Ye went to trial over his gutted $57 million Malibu mansion

Per Yiannopoulos, Ye's team will move forward now with their case against Saxon and his legal team.

"This concludes the first of two lawsuits. We now proceed to the larger and more consequential case: Our action against Saxon and his attorneys, Ron Zambrano and West Coast Trial Lawyers, arising from their recording and publicizing of an unlawful mechanic's lien on Ye's Malibu property," the statement said. "That lien clouded the home's title and interfered with its sale, destroying substantial value at the time of sale."

"The first lawsuit ended with Saxon recovering only a small fraction of what his lawyers demanded," he concluded. "The second lawsuit will address the far more serious misconduct surrounding the lien and the damages it caused."

Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Kanye West ordered to pay accuser in Malibu mansion lawsuit

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 11, 2026

Jury orders Ye to pay man who sued rapper for labor violations

More than two years afterYewassued by a manoverseeing construction at his Malibu home, a Los Angeles jury mostly sided ag...

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Canceled HGTV host Nicole Curtis faces social media storm after attempting to explain racial slur

One month afterHGTV's "Rehab Addict" was canceledafter the show's star Nicole Curtis was caught on video using a racial slur, the 49-year-old's odd attempt to explain her choice of words has sparked fury online.

During Tuesday's episode of "The Breakfast Club," Curtis — who admitted she was ready to have an "open conversation" about the incident — was challenged by hosts Charlamagne tha God and DJ Envy over her language.

"Do you have boys? Boys talk about farts all the time," Curtis, who admitted to often using the terms "fart digger" and "fart knocker," said. "OK, again, I can't swear onmy show. OK, so yes, I've made up these crazy words."

Hgtv Cancels Nicole Curtis' 'Rehab Addict' After Star Was Caught Using Racial Slur On Set

"I don't have a rhyme or reason of the words that I make up. I say nonsense stuff all the time," she continued. "I'm off the cuff. I'm not scripted."

The co-hosts called Curtis out for how "naturally" the slur came out of her mouth and questioned why she chose to come on "a Black radio show" and try to explain herself.

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"You're right. I came here to have an open conversation and I didn't have to. … I didn't come on here to prove myself."

Curtis' remarks ignited a wave of reactions on social media.

Man With Tourette Syndrome 'Deeply Mortified' After Shouting Racial Slur At Awards Show

"I think making dumb--- excuses for why you said the N-word is worse than actually saying the N-word. Just apologize and move on," one user wrote on X.

"She's basically saying she's not responsible for the words that she says which isa cop-outshe knows that's a word you don't use ever," another wrote.

However, others came to Curtis' defense, praising her for taking accountability for her actions.

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"I think she's brave for doing this actually, digging a hole and knowing it'll make the issue more visible shows that she's willing to be dragged and not forgiven," one user wrote on X. "Bold enough to face more consequences."

A representative for Curtis did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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In a video obtained byRadar Onlinelast month, Curtis is heard blurting out the N-word while on set. The outlet released the clip the same day the series was expected to return for its ninth season.

In a statement shared with Fox News Digital at the time, a representative for HGTV confirmed the show had been removed from all HGTV platforms.

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"HGTV was recently made aware of an offensive racial comment made during the filming of Rehab Addict. Not only is language like this hurtful and disappointing to our viewers, partners, and employees — it does not align with the values of HGTV. Accordingly, we have removed the series from all HGTV platforms. We remain dedicated to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion across our content and our workplace."

Shortly after, Curtis apologized for her actions in a statement toTmz.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

"Regarding HGTV, I'm grateful for the 15-year journey we've shared," she wrote in a message to TMZ, which she posted to her Instagram Stories. "It's been a meaningful chapter, but my focus isn't on my career. My focus, at this moment is rightfully on my relationships, and my community — the people who truly know my character and where my heart is."

"I want to be clear: the word in question is wrong and not part of my vocabulary and never has been, and I apologize to everyone," she added. "As discussed, I'm a mom and I was doing mom things all day and unplugged. I realize my shows were airing, but my family is my priority and I'm just catching up to all this now."

Original article source:Canceled HGTV host Nicole Curtis faces social media storm after attempting to explain racial slur

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 11, 2026

Canceled HGTV host Nicole Curtis faces social media storm after attempting to explain racial slur

One month afterHGTV's "Rehab Addict" was canceledafter the show's star Nicole Curtis was caught on vide...

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Pro-Iran hackers claim cyberattack on major US medical device maker

A cyberattack claimed by pro-Iran hackers has caused a "global network disruption" to a major US medical device maker, according to acompany statement.

Michigan-based Stryker "is experiencing a global network disruption to our Microsoft environment as a result of a cyberattack," the company said in a statement to CNN. "We have no indication of ransomware or malware and believe the incident is contained. Our teams are working rapidly to understand the impact of the attack on our systems. Stryker has business continuity measures in place to continue to support our customers and partners."

Stryker makes a range of hospital equipment, from defibrillators to ambulance cots. The company's computers in Ireland were also hit by the cyberattack,accordingto local media reports. Stryker say it serves more than 150 million patients through its health equipment and services.

It was unclear what immediate impacts, if any, the hack had on Stryker's provision of medical equipment to US hospitals. Cybersecurity executives across the health sector told CNN on Wednesday they were on alert for any impacts.

One piece of Stryker equipment apparently disrupted by the cyberattack was an IT system called Lifenet, which emergency responders use to communicate patient data to hospitals.

Maryland's Institute for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems, which oversees the state's emergency medical services, told hospitals in the state Wednesday that it had received multiple reports that Stryker's Lifenet electrocardiogram transmission system was "non-functional in most parts of the state."

"Until the transmission capability has been restored, EMS clinicians should initiate radio consultation with the receiving hospital," read the notice from the Maryland emergency services agency, which CNN obtained.

"A message was sent in abundance of caution until the situation can be resolved," Todd Abramowitz, a spokesperson for the agency, told CNN in an email when asked for comment. "No effect on patient care, paramedics convey their interpretation verbally as they do all the time, routinely."

The cyberattack appears to be one of the first notable pro-Iranian hacks against US infrastructure since the US and Israel began bombing Iran last month. US intelligence officials havewarnedabout the possibility of Tehran-linked hackers retaliating for the US and Israeli bombing of Iran that began last month.

In a social media post on Wednesday, the hacking group that claimed responsibility said the Stryker hack was retaliation for a missile strike on an elementary school in Iran, which Iranian state media has claimed killed at least 168 children. The Pentagon is investigating that incident.

Federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday were trying to get a sense of any potential impacts the hack could have on patient care, sources familiar with the response told CNN.

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A Wednesday evening call held by the Healthcare and Public Health Sector Coordinating Council, an industry group that works with the government to bolster security in the sector, was brief and yielded little new information about the Stryker hack, a source on the call told CNN.

Hospitals are trying to determine whether they should disconnect Stryker equipment from hospitals systems.

"Stryker needs to quickly become more forthcoming as hospitals are faced with dilemma of whether to cut off Stryker or not," a cybersecurity executive in the health care sector told CNN. "Stryker publicly claims situation is 'contained.' What does that mean?"

The Wall Street Journalreportedearlier on the pro-Iran hack. Stryker's shares fell more than 3% following that report.

Iran-linked hackers had been largely quiet in terms of attacks on US organizations since the war began last month.

Email security firm ProofpointsaidWednesday that its tracking of known Iranian groups had turned up only one hacking campaign — an attempt to hack a US think tank employee — since the war began.

"Too much of cybersecurity is focused on lower consequence breaches from financially motivated enemies, while we're increasing our exposures to nation states and other enemies who seek to disrupt and destroy," Joshua Corman, a cybersecurity expert who has focused on the health sector for years, told CNN. "China, Iran, Russia, etc. all have the means, motive, and opportunity to deal us devastating disruptions."

Despite the US and Israel's bombardment of Iranian government facilities, Wednesday's hack showed that Tehran still has hackers capable of inflicting damage, cybersecurity analysts said.

"Cyber operations don't require much infrastructure," said Alex Rose, global head of government partnerships at cybersecurity firm Sophos. "A laptop and an internet connection can be enough to reach out and wreak havoc."

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

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byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 11, 2026

Pro-Iran hackers claim cyberattack on major US medical device maker

A cyberattack claimed by pro-Iran hackers has caused a "global network disruption" to a major US medical device...

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Judge orders pause on ICE detention center construction in Maryland

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, March 11 (Reuters) - A federal judge in Maryland issued a temporary restraining order on Wednesday to halt construction work on an ‌immigration detention center after the state had sued citing environmental concerns.

Maryland Attorney ‌General Anthony Brown had argued that President Donald Trump's administration had not conducted a proper environmental review or ​received public input.

The federal government spent more than $100 million on a 54-acre warehouse in Maryland's Washington County to convert it into a detention center capable of holding 1,500 people at a time, Brown said in February when the state sued.

U.S. District Judge Brendan Hurson ‌granted Maryland's request for a ⁠restraining order to immediately pause construction for up to 14 days while the court considered Maryland's broader legal challenge.

"The State has shown ⁠that Defendants likely failed to comply with their obligations under (the National Environmental Policy Act)," the judge wrote.

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"Defendants do not appear to have taken a 'hard look' at the potential environmental consequences ​of ​their plans for the Williamsport Warehouse," the judge ​added.

The U.S. Department of Homeland ‌Security, which has federal oversight of immigration and of which the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is a part, has previously said DHS was willing to work with state officials to expand detention capabilities. It has also previously rejected Maryland's assertion that the lawsuit was based on environmental concerns.

The Trump administration's immigration crackdown and deportation drive ‌have received widespread condemnation from rights advocates over ​what they call violations of free speech and ​due process rights. Rights experts also ​say the crackdown has created an unsafe environment, particularly for minorities.

Trump ‌has cast his actions as aiming to ​stop illegal immigration ​and improve domestic security.

Brown cast the ruling as a win.

"Though temporary, this ruling stops the construction of this massive immigration detention center while our lawsuit continues ​to play out in court. ‌We will not let DHS and ICE rush through the proper legal ​process in their haste to ramp up deportations," Brown said.

(Reporting by Kanishka ​Singh in Washington; Editing by Michael Perry)

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 11, 2026

Judge orders pause on ICE detention center construction in Maryland

By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, March 11 (Reuters) - A federal judge in Maryland issued a temporary restraining ...

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Pro-Iran hacking group claims responsibility for cyberattack on Stryker

Stryker, a medical technology company that makes a variety of products, including surgical tools and medical implants, announced Wednesday that it was hit by a cyberattack.

And while the company has provided few details about the extent of the attack, a pro-Iran hacking group, Handala, is claiming responsibility, saying in a post on X that it executed the cyberattack "in retaliation" for the ongoing war in the region.

The hacking group claimed that in the cyberattack, "over 200,000 systems, servers, and mobile devices have been wiped and 50 terabytes of critical data have been extracted."

Stryker, the Kalamazoo, Michigan-based company, said in a statement Wednesday that it has "no indication of ransomware or malware and believe the incident is contained."

The company did note that it was "experiencing a global network disruption to our Microsoft environment."

"Our teams are working rapidly to understand the impact of the attack on our systems," Stryker said.

The company did not provide further details but assured "continuity measures in place to continue to support our customers and partners."

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Department of Homeland Security warns of potential attacks amid Iran operation

The hacking group claimed in its statement that the deadly strike on a girls' elementary school in Iran was in part the motivation behind the cyberattack.

The group posted that the attack was "in retaliation for the brutal attack on the Minab school and in response to ongoing cyber assaults against the infrastructure."

Local officials say 168 people were killed in a Feb. 28 strike, in which several buildings connected to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were destroyed along with a nearby building housing a school for girls.

It has not been determined who was behind the strike, though the U.S. military wasstriking targetsin Iran in the area near the school, people familiar with the findings told ABC News. An investigation is ongoing.

U.S. officials have not immediately commented on the cyberattack.

ABC News' Mason Leath and Victor Ordonez contributed to this report.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 11, 2026

Pro-Iran hacking group claims responsibility for cyberattack on Stryker

Stryker, a medical technology company that makes a variety of products, including surgical tools and medical implants, an...

Read More