Kanye West is facing a lawsuit for assault and battery after an alleged incident in 2022 that left a man disfigured. Justin Poplawski, an autograph dealer, claims that West punched him repeatedly after he asked the rapper for an autograph outside a hotel.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Poplawski claimed that West told him to leave before he threatened to “beat him up.” Poplawski alleged that West then struck him and asked if he wanted to “get attacked for real” before striking him several more times, severely injuring him.
Kanye West is being sued for assault and battery over an alleged 2022 incident.GC ImagesPoplawski is now seeking an unspecified amount of damages to cover his medical bills, lost earnings, and mental pain and suffering.
West’s attorney, Michael Goldstein, previously stated that “video and photographs provided to the City Attorney’s office confirmed that this particular individual followed my client to three different locations over a short period of time and ultimately waited for him at his hotel where he approached my client at 3 a.m. [local time].” Goldstein also alleged that Poplawski had entered West’s personal space, which was unacceptable.
Although the incident was initially investigated, the LA City Attorney’s Office decided not to charge West as there was “no reasonable likelihood of conviction.” West later shared his side of the story in an interview with Jason Lee for “Hollywood Unlocked,” explaining that Poplawski wasn’t a fan but rather someone “taking autographs to make money on them.” West never admitted to striking Poplawski during the interview.
Although West dodged jail time over the alleged assault, Poplawski is now seeking monetary compensation.
