Stevie Wonder Sues to Evict Ex-Fiancée From Los Angeles Home
The music icon is seeking to remove Carmen Efferson from his Studio City property after a dispute over property tax inspections.
R&B legend Stevie Wonder has filed a lawsuit to evict his former fiancée, Carmen Efferson, from his Studio City home, where she has reportedly been living rent-free for nearly 40 years. The Motown icon initiated legal proceedings in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday.
The lawsuit stems from Efferson's alleged refusal to allow access to the property for a necessary tax inspection and her subsequent profanity-laced response to Wonder's legal representatives. According to the complaint, Efferson has occupied the home on Oak Glen Drive since July 1988, based on an oral agreement.
Wonder, who married Tomeeka Bracy in 2017, has been attempting to gain access to the property for an inspection. The dispute escalated when Efferson, upon receiving a notice about the inspection, sent an email on July 25 to Wonder's legal team stating, "Please refrain from your rascist [sic] coldblooded ‘white male privilege’ tone (again with you). I am feeling harassed." She further declared, "Regarding your ORDERS of entering into the place where I am living, I do not consent. Do not make any attempt to make any kind of contact with me. You or any of the ‘We’ you are referring to. In other words F–K the F–K OFF..!!!"
Wonder's legal representative, David Huff, responded by informing Efferson that the correspondence was from his law partner, who is "neither racist, coldblooded, white nor male." Huff also noted that eviction proceedings would continue.
The property, a three-bedroom, four-bathroom residence, is valued at approximately $1.8 million, according to Zillow. The legal team indicated that if Efferson did not consent to the inspection by the following day, her occupancy license would terminate, leading to her eviction.
Following further communication, which allegedly included Efferson threatening to contact the police, Wonder's legal team proceeded with the eviction process. A late August deadline was reportedly set, but Efferson did not vacate the premises. On October 6, a three-day notice to vacate was issued, citing alleged violations of the oral agreement.
Wonder's lawyers claim that Efferson has repeatedly declined multiple opportunities for inspectors to enter the home. They are now seeking her removal from the property and reimbursement for a $600 penalty Wonder incurred due to lapsed property insurance renewal. The 76-year-old musician is currently on his "Songs in the Key of Life Performances – 50th Anniversary Tour."