In a turn of events in the ongoing legal battle between Kanye West and his former business manager, Thomas St. John is countering West's call for a refund of $900k in payment, asserting that the contract was valid and understood by both parties, as revealed by court documents.
RadarOnline.com reports that St. John is seeking a dismissal of all claims made by West in his countersuit. The legal feud originated last year when St. John sued the artist for $4.5 million, accusing the once-billionaire of contract breach and fraud.
St. John's initial suit alleged that West reneged on paying the remaining balance of an 18-month agreement after terminating St. John's services only three months in. According to the business manager, West had agreed to remunerate him $300k monthly. When confronted about the outstanding payment, West reportedly rejected the 18-month contract term, insisting that St. John was "insane for even thinking I would stick to that."
West retaliated with a countersuit, demanding the return of $900k paid to St. John. The rapper alleged his former business manager had either "failed to perform" or performed so inadequately that future payments would be unreasonable and unfair.
West's lawsuit suggested that the impact of his divorce, media attention, and constant paparazzi surveillance led to chronic sleep deprivation, stress, and anxiety, compromising his ability to thoroughly review a contract worth $5.4 million without legal advice. It alleged that St. John was aware of West's distressed circumstances but took advantage of the situation.
St. John's latest move, however, rejects West's claims. He argues that his services were performed in accordance with their agreement and that West's own fraudulent actions render his claims void.
Consequently, St. John is petitioning for the dismissal of West's countersuit, insisting that his initial lawsuit should proceed instead. This recent development adds a new layer of complexity to the dispute, leaving the final judgment in the hands of the court.