Autograph Seeker Files Lawsuit, Accuses Kanye West Of Assault
Kanye West is currently entangled in a legal dispute, facing a lawsuit for assault and battery over an alleged incident in 2022 that reportedly left a man disfigured.
The claims stem from court documents obtained by TMZ on Wednesday, detailing the account of Justin Poplawski, who alleges that West repeatedly punched him after requesting an autograph from the controversial rapper.
According to Poplawski, the incident occurred on Jan. 13, 2022, outside a hotel where he awaited West's autograph. The alleged victim recalls West aggressively instructing him, "Go the f**k out of here before I beat you the f**k up."
The situation intensified as West allegedly threatened to "make a f*king example out of" Poplawski. Despite previously obtaining West's signature without issue, Poplawski claims that this time, the rapper struck him, posing the question, "So, do you want to get attacked for real?"
West, a father of four, allegedly continued striking him even after Poplawski sought an apology for the initial blow. West is reported to have directed one of his associates to "go to the f*king house and get my f*king kids," disregarding pleas to cease the aggression.
Now, Poplawski is seeking an unspecified amount in damages to cover medical bills, alleged disfigurement, lost earnings, and mental pain and suffering. Radar Online first reported this development.
Despite the recent filing of the lawsuit, a prior investigation did not result in charges, as the LA City Attorney's Office concluded that there was "no reasonable likelihood of conviction."
West's attorney, Michael Goldstein, mounted a defense, offering evidence that Poplawski had trailed West to multiple locations before the alleged altercation. Goldstein underscored that the incident transpired at 3 a.m., with Poplawski intruding into West's personal space. Corroborating this, an insider confirmed to Page Six that Poplawski had appeared at two different restaurants where West was dining in the days leading up to the alleged altercation.
While West has managed to evade legal consequences regarding the alleged assault, Poplawski is currently pursuing monetary compensation. Despite the absence of video evidence capturing the incident, TMZ later acquired footage revealing West shouting as an unidentified male lay on the ground.
In the clip, West instructs a female staffer to "get away" from him, and a witness recording the ordeal can be heard questioning, "Why did he just do that?"
In a 2022 interview, West addressed the incident, attributing it to Poplawski's "real attitude."
Speaking with Jason Lee for "Hollywood Unlocked" in a subsequent interview, West clarified that Poplawski "wasn't a fan" but rather an individual "taking autographs to make money on them." Recalling the incident at 3 a.m. in front of a warehouse, West emphasized that Poplawski's behavior triggered the altercation. While acknowledging his upset feelings over a parenting disagreement with ex Kim Kardashian at the time, West did not confess to physically striking Poplawski.
