Stevie Wonder seeks to evict longtime occupant of Los Angeles home

Stevie Wonder has sued Carmen Efferson in an attempt to remove her from a Los Angeles house after a dispute over access for an insurance inspection, according to TMZ, which says it obtained court papers.

Wonder’s account is that Efferson has lived in the property rent-free since July 1988 under a verbal arrangement, with no written lease. His representatives say they tried repeatedly over the summer to gain access for the inspection, but she refused. His lawyers say that put the property’s insurance cover at risk. TMZ reports that they sent Efferson notice in July that her permission to stay was being withdrawn and told her to leave by 27 August.

In an email quoted by Nieuws.nl, Efferson said she felt harassed and would not agree to the representatives entering the house. Nieuws.nl reports that the insurance had lapsed; TMZ describes the cover as being at risk, rather than saying it had ended.

Wonder is seeking an order requiring Efferson to leave, along with damages and legal costs, TMZ reports. Nieuws.nl puts the monetary demand at $600. The lawsuit is a request for a court order, not an eviction already granted.