Kim Kardashian called out for demanding $145k in legal fees from man she mistakenly identified as death row inmate

Kim Kardashian is being criticized for asking a New York man to reimburse her legal costs. She mistakenly believed he was a death row inmate and supported his case as part of her criminal justice advocacy, but he later sued her. Now, she wants him to pay the fees she incurred from that lawsuit.

Ivan Cantu, originally from Westchester, New York, is asking a court to cancel a $145,000 bill from Kim Kardashian, 45, who is worth an estimated $1.9 billion or more.

According to a legal document reviewed by the Daily Mail, Cantu alleges that Kardashian publicly called him a criminal to her vast social media following—which numbers over 350 million—during a difficult period in his life, leading to anxiety and depression.

Okay, so basically, everyone says Kim Kardashian has always had it easy. Like, she grew up super rich and spoiled, totally living the high life. And now? She makes a fortune just from posting on Instagram! Seriously, all those followers mean brands pay her a ton of money. It’s amazing, honestly. She’s just…living the dream, and it’s all thanks to her family’s wealth and her massive social media presence. I just admire her hustle, even if it started with a silver spoon!

Although she occasionally posts about social issues, her feed mainly features sponsored products, services, and celebrity gossip.

In February 2024, Kim Kardashian mistakenly shared a photo online of a man named Cantu. This Cantu had the same name as a Texas inmate who was later executed for a double murder committed in 2000.

In February 2025, Cantu filed a lawsuit against Kardashian, claiming she damaged his reputation by publicly sharing false statements about him.

He criticized Kardashian for posting an inaccurate picture about a significant topic, calling it false, shocking, and disrespectful.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following this story closely, and it’s interesting how things unfold. Kim Kardashian’s legal team explained to The Daily Mail that a recent misidentification was just an honest mistake. They emphasized it stemmed from her genuine and long-held dedication to criminal justice reform – she’s truly passionate about making a difference, and that work sometimes involves complex cases and details.

They added: ‘The image was taken down almost immediately once the error was discovered.’

Cantu eventually filed a lawsuit against Kardashian, alleging defamation (including libel and slander), emotional distress, invasion of privacy, negligence, and false portrayal. Cantu requested both financial compensation for the harm caused and punitive damages as a result.

Following the incident, Greg Sobo, Cantu’s lawyer, stated to the Daily Mail that Kardashian should have understood the significant influence of social media.

Sobo stated that social media has caused significant harm to many innocent people for too long. He explained that it’s frequently misused for bullying, encouraging violence, and damaging communities.

The lawyer explained that just as people who physically hurt others are held accountable, those who harm innocent people through social media should also be responsible for their actions.

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When celebrities make mistakes on social media that cause harm to regular people, should they have to pay for the damages?

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Sobo explained that Cantu is a private person and a father of two daughters who was going through a difficult time personally when Kardashian shared his photo online.

According to his lawyer, the intense public attention caused by the Kardashians deeply harmed Mr. Cantu’s privacy during a very difficult time, and he experienced significant, lasting trauma.

Okay, so the legal battle surrounding this situation is officially over – the judge has dismissed the case. That means Kim Kardashian, who’s been seen with Lewis Hamilton recently, is now free to move forward with her own legal actions and try to recover what she feels she’s owed. It’s a big step for her, and we can expect to hear more about this as she pursues her claims.

The judge ruled last year that the plaintiff didn’t prove he was harmed by Kardashian’s unauthorized use of his image.

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2026-04-14 05:33