Kanye West is firing back at his ex-business manager with a countersuit, vehemently denying allegations that he withheld payment.
In his response, Kanye claims that the agreement they had was signed under stressful circumstances, during the midst of his highly publicized divorce from Kim Kardashian.
Challenging the Enforceability of the Agreement
In documents obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Kanye and his Yeezy brand filed a countersuit, arguing that the deal with Thomas St. John is unenforceable due to the circumstances surrounding its signing.
Kanye asserts that he signed the agreement without the assistance of legal counsel, while he was experiencing sleep deprivation, stress, anxiety, and under duress.
According to the lawsuit, Kanye and St. John met in March 2022, during a period marked by one of Kanye’s well-known social media meltdowns. St. John presented himself as a respected business manager who could help navigate the storm and get things back on track.
Although Kanye admits to signing a document with St. John in May 2022, he contends that the absence of his lawyers and the strain from his high-profile divorce with Kim Kardashian compromised his decision-making ability.
Kanye highlights the toll that the divorce proceedings took on him, including increased encounters with paparazzi, which led to sleep deprivation, heightened stress levels, and anxiety.
Another point of contention for Kanye is a clause in the agreement that prevented St. John from being terminated for the first 18 months.
This clause essentially secured a continuous flow of funds from Kanye’s accounts to St. John’s. Despite the short duration of their partnership, lasting only about three months, Kanye expresses outrage that St. John had the audacity to sue him for $5.4 million.
In response, Kanye is requesting that the court not only nullify the entire contract but also order St. John to return the $900,000 he has already received.
The Legal Battle Unfolds
The legal battle between Kanye West and his ex-business partner continues to intensify as both parties present their sides of the story.
While St. John asserts that Kanye withheld payment, Kanye is vehemently denying the allegations and providing his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding their agreement.
As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how the court will evaluate the validity of the contract and the claims made by both parties.
The outcome of this legal battle will undoubtedly have significant implications for Kanye West’s business affairs and his ongoing divorce from Kim Kardashian.