Stevie Wonder Sues Ex-Girlfriend for Eviction from Los Angeles Home
The legendary musician seeks to remove Carmen Efferson from a property he claims she has occupied rent-free since 1988.
Stevie Wonder is pursuing legal action to evict his ex-girlfriend, Carmen Efferson, from a Los Angeles residence he asserts she has lived in without paying rent since 1988. The musical artist, 76, filed a lawsuit on October 22 to remove Efferson from the home, which is valued at an estimated $1.8 million.
According to the legal filing, Wonder initially allowed Efferson to occupy the property rent-free in July 1988 based on a verbal agreement. No written lease was established, and the monthly rent was set at $0.
Wonder's attorneys stated in the filing that attempts by his staff to inspect the residence for insurance purposes over the summer were blocked by Efferson. This refusal to grant access to inspectors reportedly created insurance coverage issues for the property.
Following these events, Wonder's legal team issued a notice in July demanding that Efferson vacate the premises by August 27. However, she has not yet left the residence.
Wonder is requesting a court order for Efferson's removal from the home, along with damages and legal fees. The court filing also revealed a contentious exchange of emails between Efferson and Wonder's attorneys, during which Efferson expressed strong objections to the tone of their communication.
In one email, Efferson accused an attorney of exhibiting "racist cold-blooded white male privilege" and told them to "F*** the f*** off." The attorney, David Huff, responded by stating that the legal team member Efferson was addressing was neither white nor male, and that his own grandfather was a "civil rights hero."
Huff further warned Efferson that her continued refusal to allow property inspections could lead to eviction.
Wonder and Efferson reportedly had a past romantic relationship, with rumors of an engagement at one point. The singer has been married to Tomeeka R "Syreeta" Wright since 2017. His previous marriages were to the late singer Syreeta Wright (1970-1972) and fashion designer Kai Millard (2001-2015).