Nicki Minaj Lawsuit Looms As Jennifer Hough's Lawyer Plans To Move Case To California: Report

BY Erika Marie 2.3K Views
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Nicki Minaj, Kenneth Petty
The harassment and intimidation case was recently dismissed, but Hough's lawyer explained it's not over.

The Barbz were quick to jump online when it was announced that Jennifer Hough's lawsuit against Nicki Minaj was dismissed, but Rolling Stone reports that the rapper's legal woes aren't over just yet. Back in August 2021, Hough, Minaj's husband Kenneth Petty's alleged rape victim, filed a lawsuit against the rapper. In 1994, Hough claimed that Petty attacked and raped her at knifepoint. Petty reportedly took a plea deal to a lesser charge of attempted rape and served four years in prison.

In her lawsuit against Minaj, Hough accused the rapper of intimidation and harassment, but recently, news surfaced that the case was dismissed. However, Hough's attorney, Seven N. Gordon, told a judge that they planned to refile in a "court with proper jurisdiction." Meaning, they're moving things from New York to California where Minaj and Petty reside.


Additionally, Gordon reportedly told Rolling Stone, "We still feel very strongly about the merits of the case against both of them.” 

Minaj's lawyer doesn't believe Hough and her team will be any more successful in the Golden State than they were in New York.

“This is just a frivolous gambit to avoid a sanctions motion which I told them that I would be filing shortly and for which they refuse to set a schedule,” lawyer Judd Burstein said in a statement. “As usual, they have decided to adopt a tactic without bothering to research the law. Had they done so, they would realize that re-filing their frivolous action in another jurisdiction will only result in another court sanctioning them.”

Meanwhile, Petty reportedly returns to court for sentencing in March in connection to the charges that he failed to register as a sex offender in California. 

[via]


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.