Money

Kanye West’s issues continue to grow …. a former employee of the rapper is seeking close to $1 million in court for unpaid wages and other damages ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, Jonathan Monroe -- who says he worked as a full-time security guard in 2021 -- claims he wasn’t paid all the wages owed nor given overtime.

In his new docs, Monroe asks for damages totaling around $850K ... including $7,725 for unpaid overtime, $37,620 in lost wages, $500,000 in lost earnings, $100,000 for his pain and suffering ... and another $100,000 in punitive damages.

In his original lawsuit, Monroe claimed he tried to collect the money owed to him but was given the run-around. He claimed on one occasion, Ye asked him to fill up the tank of his Lamborghini and "When I asked for cash or use of his credit card to cover the expense, [Kanye] walked away from me without a response.”

As TMZ previously reported, Kanye was ordered to pay another ex-employee, Tony Saxon, $140K in an unrelated lawsuit.

David Geffen and his estranged husband, David Armstrong, are apparently looking to close the book on their nasty divorce.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the billionaire says he's reached a divorce settlement with his ex.

The terms of the settlement are not clear ... there's nothing in the documents giving any details.

We've told you all about it ... money has been a contentious point in this divorce, with Geffen saying he's paid Armstrong -- AKA Donovan Michaels -- plenty to keep him happy ... and is even footing the bill for his NYC penthouse. But the much younger model has argued the opposite and has told the courts Geffen is hiding his wealth so he can pay minimal spousal support.

Paris Jackson slammed the two executors in charge of her late father Michael Jackson’s estate ... claiming they are bullying her for asking questions about money spent, TMZ has learned.

Paris' claims come after the executors said Paris was “more interested in playing to the media than” working out any issues. According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, Paris and her legal team say the executors, John Branca and John McClain, are filing court documents that “mock and belittle” Michael’s only daughter. For their part, Branca and McClain claim Paris and her legal team are spreading incorrect information about the case to the press.

The executors claim that while Paris may claim she doesn't want the case in the press, her media team tried to spin the court's "rather routine actions" at a recent hearing "as some sort of blockbuster ruling by the court in favor of Paris."

As TMZ previously reported, Paris and the executors have been going back and forth about payments made to third-party law firms who worked for the estate ... with Paris questioning the process for handing out huge bonuses and fees.

Branca and McClain have been arguing that their work turned the estate from insolvent to worth billions. They also argue Paris has benefited greatly from their hard work.

Sophia Hutchins' inner circle isn't shocked by Caitlyn Jenner claiming her late friend and former manager owed her nearly half a million dollars ... 'cause we're told Sophia had beef with her own family over finances.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Sophia had issues with her relatives over her spending habits long before she became indebted to Caitlyn.

We’re told Sophia was raised by her paternal grandmother, Regina, who was very generous ... footing the bill for Sophia’s private schooling and sending her money for college expenses when she attended Pepperdine University in Malibu.

Our sources say Grandma Regina also paid for Sophia’s flights for travel and debate trips ... and took care of Sophia's "hefty" credit card bills.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are going back and forth in court about when the trial will begin in their bitter legal battle ... with Brad claiming he doesn't want to delay too long, saying he would LOVE to start using his mega-mansion in France once again -- TMZ has learned.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, the exes can’t agree on the start date for their trial in the fight over the French winery Chateau Miraval, which they purchased together while married.

Brad sued Angelina, claiming she sold her stake in the winery without his permission ... while Angelina said she didn’t need him to sign off on the deal after her negotiations with him broke down.

Michael Jackson’s estate continues to provide for the late pop star’s kids, including dropping thousands on tuition for his oldest son and tens of thousands for his daughter Paris’ home improvements ... this according to new legal docs filed by the estate.

TMZ obtained the 2022 accounting report submitted by John Branca and John McClain, the two executors who run Michael’s estate.

The executors said 2022 was “another banner year for the estate.” Branca and McClain pointed out the estate launched "MJ: The Musical" on Broadway, which made a ton of money and received acclaim.

Cardi B does not play about her money! The rapper told fans she had her credit card stolen ... but she says she knows who did it and is definitely going to make them pay.

According to the "Bodak Yellow" artist ... she recently discovered her AMEX card was missing, but shrugged it off -- until she noticed a purchase on her account for about $40K at Saks Fifth Avenue.

What's weirder ... a purchase for about $20K popped up from the Apple store! At that point, she KNEW something was up ... and so did her accountant. Watch the full clip for the breakdown.

The Michael Jackson estate reportedly shelled out millions to cut any mention of child molestation accusations in the end of "Michael" ... and because of it, they now own a stake in the film.

The late singer's estate is estimated to have coughed up between $10M and $15M to complete "necessary" reshoots for the movie, according to Variety.

The publication reports the biopic was originally supposed to explore the impact that child molestation accusations had on Jackson's life ... but now there's not even a mention of the accusations, because of a clause in a settlement with one of Jackson's accusers. Jordan Chandler reportedly barred the mention of him in any movie.

Steph Curry has been wearing all sorts of kicks after he broke up with Under Armour -- and he's now auctioning off more than 70 pairs (some game-worn) ... including the Kobe Bryant 6 Protro he wore the day after his sneaker free agency announcement.

TMZ Sports has learned the Golden State Warriors superstar is teaming up with Sotheby's to part with shoes from across his 17-year NBA career ... and several pairs stand out.

Steph's Kobe "Mambacita" kicks he wore after he revealed he was splitting with Under Armour after 12 years are part of the batch.

Late pop star Aaron Carter’s mom Jane Schenck's fight with his ex-fiancée Melanie Martin over his estate was shut down in court, TMZ has learned. 

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge denied Jane’s effort to block the estate from closing ... finding the estate was insolvent and ordering the distribution of its non-cash assets to Melanie. 

Jane believed the trustee in charge had undervalued the value of Aaron’s royalties. She also alleged Melanie had made “illegal withdrawals” from Aaron’s accounts totaling $24,530. 

Caitlyn Jenner has filed a hefty creditor's claim against the estate of her late friend and former manager, Sophia Hutchins -- alleging she's owed nearly half a million dollars.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Jenner claims Hutchins racked up $439,095.88 in unpaid expenses before her death, including credit card charges, cash advances, shopping, and her portion of some shared legal fees.

The docs detail where the money allegedly went, including spending at companies like Shopify, eBay, 1stdibs, and other online retailers.

Paris Jackson’s little brother, Blanket "Bigi" Jackson, and his lawyer Justin Gold were apparently unsuccessful in their attempt to resolve her bitter battle with their late father’s estate ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ ... Michael’s estate executors, John Branca and John McClain, called out Paris for backing out of a deal they say was recently reached between the executors and Jackson's children.

Paris has been fighting the executors over certain payments made by the estate to third-party law firms that she felt were excessive, and has been pushing for a better process in court for approval of such payments. The estate countered that the payments were standard for the industry, and pointed out they have earned the estate billions of dollars.

Sia will be cutting a hefty check to her estranged husband Dan Bernad ... and it’s all for child support, paid on the first of each month like clockwork.

TMZ’s obtained docs showing Sia agreed to fork over $42,500 a month in child support to Dan Bernad starting April 1, 2026.

The custody split is locked in too -- with the couple sharing legal custody and splitting up holidays ... Hanukkah and Father’s Day are going Dan’s way, while Sia keeps Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day.

As we told you, the two have been going through a messy divorce and custody fight over their son, Somersault -- with Sia repped by disso queen Laura Wasser. 

The demand for tickets to the NCAA championship game is soaring through the roof ... and TMZ Sports has learned that one fan even dropped over $17,000 for a single seat to watch the UConn Huskies and Michigan Wolverines duke it out in person.

We're told the ticket sold via the popular ticket buying and selling platform, SeatGeek ... a massive price to witness the action Monday night at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

That single ticket was $17,022.96 ... and Max Meyer, SeatGeeks' Senior Content Analyst, told us the demand is up by 20% compared to last year's NCAA title game.

Kanye West hit all the right notes during his two shows in Los Angeles over the weekend, raking in a whopping $33 million as he wages a major comeback after his career was sidelined by his passion for Nazis, according to a new report.    

Bloomberg says Ye snagged more than $18 million in ticket sales during his Friday concert alone, making it one of the highest-grossing single shows in the history of live music.

The news outlet also pointed out Ye still has die-hard fans rushing to buy his new record, "Bully," which is on track to become one of the best-selling albums in its opening week.

But Bloomberg cautioned Ye's two sold-out L.A. gigs could just be an aberration considering all of his issues involving antisemitism dating back to 2022.   

TikTok star Marquay The Goat's died from an enlarged heart ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tells us the autopsy for Marquay Collins -- the social media personality's real name -- was completed recently ... with the manner of death ruled natural, and the cause due to an enlarged heart.

As we previously reported ... a rep for the the Muscogee County Coroner initially told us Marquay's tragic death was believed to be linked to a serious car accident he was involved in just a few weeks earlier.