Kanye West sued over car lease deal

Rapper allegedly did not return the vehicle on time or pay holdover fees

Matt Sayles / AP

Rapper Kanye West performs at the Wango Tango concert in Irvine, Calif., on Saturay, May 6. Rapper is currently being sued over car lease deal.

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updated 4:44 p.m. ET May 10, 2006

LOS ANGELES - A lawsuit has been filed against Kanye West and his production company claiming breach of contract for not returning a Mercedes-Benz after its lease expired in January.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in Superior Court by Delaware-based DCFS Trust, said West’s Konman Entertainment leased a 2003 Mercedes G500 in September 2002, with the agreement calling for 39 consecutive payments of $1,295 a month.

As Konman’s president, West signed as lease guarantor, according to the lawsuit.

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DCFS Trust claimed the luxury sport utility vehicle was not returned as scheduled and holdover fees were not paid.

Phone messages left Wednesday for the 27-year-old rapper’s publicist, Gabe Tesoriero, were not immediately returned. Konman Entertainment could not be reached because the firm has an unlisted phone number.

DCFS Trust, which took over the lease from Prestige Motors Inc., is seeking $53,747, plus attorney fees, accruing lease payments, late charges, interest and punitive damages.

DCFS Trust declined comment on the legal action.

“Our client does not address ongoing litigation,” DCFS Trust’s attorney, Rebecca Caley, said.