Kanye West is embroiled in a legal battle with his former personal assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, who has filed a lawsuit against the rapper alleging sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. The complaint, which became public earlier this week, details explicit and inappropriate behavior by West including sending explicit texts, pornographic photos, videos, and engaging in sexually explicit phone calls. Pisciotta, who claims she was wrongfully terminated in 2022, is seeking compensation and damages for breach of contract among other grievances.
In response to the allegations, a representative for Kanye West issued a statement asserting that the rapper is being targeted by Pisciotta for "blackmail and extortion." According to the statement, West plans to file a counter lawsuit against his former employee for making "baseless allegations" and demanding exorbitant sums of money. The statement further accuses Pisciotta of unprofessional behavior, including attempting to steal West's cell phone and using sexual coercion to obtain money and luxury items from the rapper.
The legal documents outline that Pisciotta was hired by West in July 2021 to work on his Yeezy women's fashion line and subsequently collaborated with him on three songs for his album "Donda." She was later promoted to West's personal assistant, a role that came with a $1 million salary agreement based on her availability "24 hours a day, seven days a week." Pisciotta, who is also known as an Instagram model and an OnlyFans content creator, claims that her employment conditions changed after she agreed to delete her OnlyFans account in exchange for a promised $1 million compensation for lost income, which she says was never paid.
Following her account deletion, Pisciotta alleges that West's behavior became increasingly inappropriate, describing sexual acts he wished to engage in, and even masturbating during phone conversations with her. She also claims that West made derogatory comments about her personal relationships and demanded that she dress more provocatively in the office.
One of the more severe incidents detailed in the lawsuit includes an accusation that West trapped her in a private room on his plane and masturbated in front of her. Pisciotta claims that despite these experiences, she was promoted to Chief of Staff of West's various companies in September 2022 with a promised salary of $4 million. However, she alleges she was fired one month later without cause and did not receive the $3 million in severance she was offered.
The lawsuit against West includes claims of fraud, unpaid wages, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. West's representatives have denied all allegations of wrongdoing, stating that any claims of fraud or harassment are unfounded and that Pisciotta's actions are an attempt to leverage her former position for financial gain.
This legal dispute highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding workplace dynamics in high-profile environments, particularly involving claims of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. As the case unfolds, further details are expected to emerge regarding the interactions between Kanye West and Lauren Pisciotta, and how these allegations will affect West's professional and personal reputation.
Pisciotta's attorney has not yet responded to requests for comments on the case, and the legal proceedings are expected to continue as both parties prepare for a potential court battle.