Stevie Wonder, the renowned R&B artist, has initiated legal proceedings to evict his former fiancée, Carmen Efferson, from his home in Studio City. She’s reportedly been living there without paying rent for almost 40 years.
The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, citing that Efferson had been disrespectful to his legal representatives and refused access to the property for a necessary tax inspection, as stated in the complaint.
According to the lawsuit, Efferson has not agreed to leave the residence on Oak Glen Drive despite attempts by Wonder’s legal team to have her vacate the premises, where she has been since July 1988 under an unwritten arrangement. It’s worth noting that Wonder has been married to Tomeeka Bracy since 2017.
This three-bedroom, four-bathroom house is valued at nearly $1.8 million, based on Zillow estimates.
The situation escalated when Efferson received a notification about the property tax inspection and responded with an email laced with profanity directed at Wonder’s legal team.
In her email from July 25, she stated, “Please refrain from your rascist [sic] coldblooded ‘white male privilege’ tone (again with you). I am feeling harassed.” She also made it clear that she did not consent to any entry into the home, adding, “In other words F–K the F–K OFF..!!!”
Wonder’s lawyer, David Huff, clarified to Efferson that the letter was written by a partner who does not fit her description, emphasizing that eviction proceedings would move forward.
Huff stated, “Should we not hear from you that you consent to entry by the third-party insurance inspector by tomorrow, that license will terminate and you will be evicted. The choice is yours.”
Following further threats by Efferson to involve the police, Wonder’s legal team moved ahead with the eviction process, setting a deadline for her to vacate by late August. When she did not comply, the legal team issued a three-day notice on October 6 for her to leave due to alleged breaches of the oral agreement.
According to Wonder’s representatives, they had offered multiple opportunities for the inspectors to enter the home, but Efferson had turned them down.
Now, Wonder’s attorneys are pursuing her removal from the property and are also seeking $600 to cover penalties incurred from a lapsed property insurance renewal.
At 76 years old, Wonder is currently busy with his “Songs in the Key of Life Performances – 50th Anniversary Tour” and has resided in various homes across the Los Angeles area over the years.
