Kanye West is embroiled in a legal dispute as his former business associates at The Gap file a lawsuit against him, demanding $2 million.
The legal action, initiated by property firm Art City Center, accuses The Gap Inc. of contract violation, with court documents revealing the specifics.
Art City Center, the owner of a building on 6th Street in Los Angeles, asserts that The Gap agreed to a one-year lease for the property from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, which was later extended.
The contract reportedly stipulated that The Gap would pay a monthly rent of $104,666.67 and an additional $8,333 monthly for parking. In addition, it expressly disallowed any unpermitted alterations to the structure.
However, Art City Center contends that The Gap conducted numerous unauthorized changes to the building, leaving it in a condition that does not match its original state.
Art City Center alleges that they are owed $822,000 in holding damages as of September 2022, with the sum continuing to accrue at $164,000 per month. In addition, the property company is seeking additional damages, totaling their claim at $1.5 million.
This legal action was initiated when Kanye West ended his partnership with The Gap, attributing the split to the company’s failure to meet its obligations. In response to Art City Center’s lawsuit, the Gap refutes all charges of misconduct, claiming that “supervening legal requirements” hindered their ability to fulfill the lease as agreed.
The Gap has responded by filing a counter lawsuit against Kanye West personally, claiming they entered into a partnership with him in June 2020 to design new clothing lines. They assert that Kanye changed the building without their consent, violating their agreement.
According to The Gap, these unapproved modifications necessitated repair and restoration, leading them to seek $2 million in damages from Kanye.
Kanye West has not commented on the lawsuits, leaving the legal conflict unresolved. In this case, the final decision will elucidate the financial consequences for both parties and the obligations and repercussions arising from their business agreement.