Kim Kardashian has opted to waive $167,000 in legal fees owed to her by Ivan Cantu, who had sued the mogul after she mistakenly identified him on social media. The decision comes amid news of Kardashian sharing bikini photos from a recent lake trip.
In February 2024, Kardashian, a prominent figure with over 350 million social media followers, posted the image of Cantu, a Texas death row inmate, believing he was another individual facing execution. She intended to advocate for the latter inmate, who shared the same name. Following the post, the man identified in the lawsuit attempted to sue Kardashian for damages, claiming she had "labeled him a criminal" and caused him anxiety and depression.
Cantu's lawsuit was dismissed, and he was subsequently ordered to pay Kardashian's legal fees. However, Kardashian and Cantu have reportedly resolved the matter privately, with her legal team stating that the lawsuit "should never have been filed." Kardashian has agreed to waive the fees, and Cantu has dismissed his case with prejudice.
This situation drew some criticism from fans who questioned why Kardashian, a billionaire, would seek payment for legal fees. Cantu's lawsuit had previously argued that Kardashian, who was "born and raised in great wealth and luxury," had substantial income and wealth through social media endorsements.
Kardashian's attorneys characterized the misidentification as a "simple mistake" stemming from her "longstanding commitment to the cause of criminal justice reform." They added that the image was removed shortly after the error was discovered. The Texas inmate whose case initially prompted Kardashian's post was executed on February 28, 2024.
In her Instagram post featuring photos from her lake trip, Kardashian, 45, shared images of herself in a black bikini, with captions indicating she was "lakemaxxing." The post also included a picture with a puppy and snapshots with her niece Penelope Disick and daughter Chicago. The mogul also recently shared a tribute to her late grandmother, MJ Campbell, who died in July at age 91.