The Chicago Tribune on Thursday was the first outlet to report that West, 44, was issued a subpoena by attorneys for Arjun Dhillon, who once worked with West on design projects and has been charged in an alleged swindle. The paper noted Pryor Cashman LLP, who is representing West in the case, was subpoenaed by Dhillon’s attorneys for records regarding its representation of the hip-hop star and also for communications related to the case. In addition, Dhillon’s defense team has also unsuccessfully tried to serve a subpoena to West personally for a possible in-person testimony during the trial.
Prior to the news of the subpoenas, West’s name, which he legally changed to Ye in 2021, was kept secret in court documents. In records reviewed by Newsweek, he is referred to only as “Musician A.”
Dhillon is accused of fraudulently obtaining $250,000 from a philanthropist by falsely claiming to be associated with West. The original indictment, from January 2020, states Dhillon claimed West (identified as “Musician A”) would support an online philanthropy campaign from the alleged victim in exchange for $250,000 “to support Musician A’s purported design studio project.”
The indictment shows that Dhillon claimed to be “currently associated” with West when he made the claims for the money, despite the fact that West had terminated work with Dhillon in approximately October 2018. Dhillon also allegedly falsified emails between himself and West to back up the project, according to the indictment.
Dhillon is further accused of telling his bank he was not engaging in fraudulent conduct and was still associated with West so that the bank would not cancel a wire transfer from the victim.
The indictment said that West had no knowledge of the Dhillon’s alleged scheme.
According to the Tribune, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Havey agreed during Wednesday’s hearing to publicly identify West since he is a potential witness in the case and prospective jurors will have to be asked about any preconceived notions about the musician.
The Tribune also reported that Dhillon’s attorney, Sheldon Zenner, said during Wednesday’s hearing that West has not been personally served a subpoena notice. Pryor Cashman and other law firms representing West have also refused to accept service of the subpoena, according to Zenner.
The newspaper noted U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin was not pleased when he received news of the subpoenas not being served. The judge said it was only “a matter of time” before the paperwork makes its way into West’s hands.
Jury selection for the trial is scheduled to begin on April 4.
West has been in the headlines recently for social media posts directed at comedian Pete Davidson, who is dating West’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian. He has also been criticized for releasing a music video that depicts him kidnapping and burying Davidson.
Newsweek contacted attorneys representing Dhillon and West for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.
