Kanye West is in the news again, but the news isn't about music or fashion. The rapper's X-rated tweets are now front and center of an explosive lawsuit filed by former assistant Lauren Pisciotta, who is accusing West of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, breach of contract, and gender discrimination.
But if what's unique about this case isn't the nature of the allegations themselves, it's that Kanye himself may have handed over the evidence with his thumbs.
During an interview, Arick Fudali, the attorney for Pisciotta, told Complex that West's extreme social media activity is something he's never encountered in his private practice.
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"I have been doing this a very long time and have never seen defendants so proclaim their culpability on the internet in the middle of litigation, and this is very much a new one," Fudali explained.
"It's shocking to have posted this much," says Fudali. "Some of those tweets by West are not just shocking; they are graphic, disgusting, and self-incriminating." Lines included tweets such as, "I used to f### employees in my office," and "Life is about using your position to f### the baddest b#### possible," which were also caught up in the case. West went so far as to tweet, "I'm a walking Me Too" and "I'm a big-time perv," statements that raised eyebrows not just online but in the courtroom.
"I handle cases against many unpredictable, volatile, high-profile people who have not been timid about saying things," Mr. Fudali added. This is something I have not seen: a defendant admitting to sexually harassing employees, and I represent a former employee who is a victim of sexual harassment. That's a first for me, that's for sure."
It's a legal puzzle unlike any other, and the courtroom might not require as much discovery as normal because it seems as if the defendant himself may have broadcast the evidence.
Pisciotta, who was side-by-side with West, is said to have gone underground over intense online backlash and threats since she came forward. Fudali told me she has been subject to "a really ugly, gross level of harassment and vitriol" and worries for her safety.
"She is very, very afraid of Mr. West and Mr. West's circle and Mr. West's supporters," he said, adding that her whereabouts were being kept secret for her safety.
Meanwhile, according to Fudali, they are working on a second amended complaint that would elaborate on the charges and update the court on new developments. While West has denied that the booze manhandled his pupils, Fudali appears eager to challenge him in sworn testimony.
"As much as I am eager to take his deposition, I am also very eager to try this case to a jury. I have just enough evidence, at this point, with just this." A case doesn't typically have that kind of raw, real-time evidence. But in Kanye Westworld, nothing goes according to the textbook.
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