Music legend Stevie Wonder is asking a California court to evict a woman who has reportedly lived rent-free in one of his California properties for nearly 40 years.
The 76-year-old Grammy-winning artist, whose birth name is Stevland Hardaway Morris, filed a complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, October 22, requesting that Carmen Efferson be ordered to vacate the residence, according to court documents obtained by People.
Efferson is reportedly the former fiancée of the “Part-Time Lover” singer, Rolling Stone reported.
Dispute Over Property Inspection
According to the complaint, Wonder and Efferson reached a verbal agreement in 1988 that permitted her to live in the home. However, tensions reportedly escalated this summer after Wonder’s legal team informed Efferson that she needed to grant access to inspectors working for an insurance company.
© GettyImagesAn email dated July 23, included in the court filing, stated that an insurance inspector was scheduled to visit the property on July 30. The purpose of the visit was to conduct an inspection necessary to maintain insurance coverage on the home.
Efferson Objects to the Inspection
The complaint alleges that Efferson responded to the email two days later, refusing to allow the inspection and expressing concerns that she was being harassed. She also stated that she did not consent to the proposed visit.
In a subsequent email to Wonder’s attorneys, Efferson reportedly warned that neither they nor their representatives had permission to enter the property.
She further stated that she would immediately contact law enforcement if anyone attempted to enter her home or trespass on the premises, according to the court filing.
Thirty-Day Notice Issued
The legal complaint states that Wonder’s representatives issued Efferson a 30-day notice to vacate the property the day after the email exchange. However, she allegedly remained in the home after the deadline.
© ANNA KURTHWonder’s attorneys characterize Efferson’s continued occupation of the property as “malicious,” as stated in the complaint.
Wonder Seeks Legal Fees and Damages
Through the lawsuit, Wonder’s legal team is asking the court to terminate the verbal agreement that allowed Efferson to reside in the property.
The filing also seeks reasonable attorneys’ fees and statutory damages related to what the complaint describes as her malicious possession of the home.
The case centers on the dispute over Efferson’s continued residence at the property and the alleged refusal to permit the insurance inspection. The allegations outlined in the complaint have not, by themselves, established the court’s final determination in the matter.
