What Led to a Recent Harassment Case Against Nicki Minaj and Her Husband?

Nicki Minaj and her husband, Kenneth Petty, met as teens in Queens in the 1990s. Now, another woman who knew Petty from his youth is claiming the couple won’t leave the past in the past.

Jennifer Hough says the couple has been harassing her, insisting that she recant a rape accusation against Minaj’s husband that goes back to 1994.

What Happened in 1994?

Hough’s story is documented in a new civil lawsuit that she filed against both Petty and Minaj.

In 1994, when Hough was 16-years-old, she says she was waiting at a bus stop when she was approached by Petty, who was also 16 at the time. According to her story, Petty put a knife to her back and made her walk to his apartment. When they got to the apartment, he proceeded to rape her. The lawsuit states that when Petty got off Hough, he stood up, looked in a mirror, pounded his chest, and repeated, “I am the man. I am the man.”

Once Hough left the apartment, she sought help, and Petty was quickly arrested. Petty was charged and accepted a plea deal which put him in jail for nearly four years, according to NBC News.

Related: If You’re Arrested for a Crime, Immediately Take These 6 Steps

Why Is This Resurfacing Now?

In July 2019, Petty moved from New York to California. He was required to register as a sex offender, but he did not. In November of the same year, Petty was pulled over for a traffic stop. At that time, authorities learned he had not registered as a sex offender and arrested him.

The arrest brought the story into the news and initiated the events that led up to the recent harassment charges.

Hough says it was around this time that Minaj and her team began contacting her and asking her to recant her story.

The lawsuit says Minaj and her associates contacted Hough and her family multiple times offering cash bribes. Minaj and her team are said to have called Hough and offered to “help her out” by flying her and her family to California and also offered her as much as $500,000.

Hough says that this harassment and intimidation is stirring up old trauma she experienced during the time of the rape. At that time, she was reportedly intimidated and harassed by people in her neighborhood who were trying to get her to drop the charges against Petty. Now, she is experiencing a similar situation.

Hough believes the actions of Petty, Minaj, and their associates are intended to intimidate and inflict emotional distress on her. The situation has caused her pain and suffering and led her to move three times in one year. The lawsuit says she “has not worked since May of 2020 due to severe depression, paranoia, constant moving, harassment, and threats from the defendants and their associates. She is currently living in isolation out of fear of retaliation.”

Hough has also stated that she has no interest and has never expressed interest in a bribe or recanting her story.

Related: Dealing With the Media During a High-Profile Case: What to Expect

So, What Happens Next?

Hough’s lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. It is a civil case, so at this time, Minaj and Petty don’t face any criminal charges.

It’s worth noting that Petty has also been convicted and served time for another criminal charge. In 2006, he pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge in the 2002 shooting death of Lamunt Robinson. Petty was sentenced to ten years. He served seven and was on supervised release for five years.

Despite Petty’s troubled past, Minaj is standing by him, stating on Instagram, “He was 15, she was 16… in a relationship. But go awf Internet. y’all can’t run my life. Y’all can’t even run y’all own life. Thank you boo.”

The lawsuit states that Petty and Hough were never in a relationship.

Related: What’s the Difference Between a Civil and Criminal Case? 

Get an Attorney Who Will Fight For You

Whether you find yourself in a civil or criminal case, it’s important to have an attorney who will stand by your side. If you are dealing with a legal matter and don’t know where to turn, contact the offices of TJ Grimaldi. TJ’s number one goal is to take care of his clients and ensure that they get the fairest and most just outcomes possible.

If you need legal advice on an upcoming case, contact TJ today. All consultations with TJ are free. Request your free consultation or call 813-226-1023 today.