Nicki Minaj has been caught up in some legal woes, in an attempt to back up her husband, Kenneth Petty, over these last several months. In August, Jennifer Hough, the woman that Petty was convicted of sexually assaulting back in 1994, filed a lawsuit against the couple.
This was a harassment lawsuit, as Hough claimed that Minaj and Petty have been threatening her, in an attempt to get her to recant her story, about what happened, regarding the 1994 sexual assault incident. Hough claimed that due to these threats, she’s been suffering from emotional distress. She added that she and her family have “suffered an onslaught of harassing calls and unsolicited visits.” Hough also stated that Minaj attempted to reach out to her brother, to offer a $500,000 bribe.
Hough Reportedly Had To Move, Due To Threats
Minaj also allegedly went on to send lawyers to Hough’s home, in an attempt to get her to recant her story. After another $20,000 bribe was supposedly bribed, Hough went on to move from her home, in August 2020. This was due to her fearing for her safety. In total, Hough decided to sue Minaj and Petty, for emotional distress, harassment, and witness intimidation.
Minaj Apologizes For Ignoring Lawsuit From Hough
Minaj has remained very quiet lately, in response to Hough filing this lawsuit. Now, the rapper has finally issued a statement, in documents filed in court. She claims that not issuing a response to the lawsuit, was simply an “innocent mistake.”
“My failure to respond to the complaint was the product of an innocent mistake, and I ask the court to excuse the delay so that I can defend what I believe to be an entirely frivolous case which plaintiff’s counsel has brought against me in an effort to use my name to generate publicity for himself.”
Minaj also explained why that Petty didn’t respond to the lawsuit, as well. She claimed that when served, the paperwork described the man that they were looking for, as a“Black male, 40 years old, 200 lbs.” For Minaj, she doesn’t believe that this description fit Petty. She and her legal team also believe that Hough wants Minaj’s “deep pocket.”
“In fact, my husband is approximately 5’9’’ tall and weighs no more than 175 pounds,” Minaj added. “Further, there is no person who resides in our house or who was present there on September 15, 2021, who fits the description contained in the affidavit of service.”
Minaj And Petty Faced $20 Million Judgement
After Minaj and Petty failed to acknowledge Hough’s lawsuit, it was revealed in court, that a $20 million judgment is on the table, against them. Minaj’s attorney, Judd Burstein, has since asked Hough’s attorney, Tyrone Backburn, to withdraw the petition, for this judgement. That also came with the request for more time, to respond to the lawsuit. Blackburn ended up denying this request, citing that Minaj and Petty are not above the law.
“I said NO!” Blackburn said to The Daily Beast. “I told him to prepare his opposition to my request for default judgment and explain to the court why his client and her husband believe they’re both above the law.