Prosecutor Nicki Minaj Will Re-File California Harassment Suit – Billboard

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Lawyers for a woman who recently filed a harassment lawsuit against Nicki Minaj revealed on Thursday (Jan. 20) that the rapper was fired from the case just because they plan to file the same charges in California.

Jennifer Hough sued Minaj (real name: Onika Maraj) and husband Kenneth Petty last year on charges of raping her decades earlier and molesting her both to shut her up, but last week she voluntarily left Minaj from the case without any explanation.

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During a hearing in the Manhattan federal court on Thursday, Hough’s attorney revealed the reason: They plan to re-file the case in California federal court. As Rolling Stone first reported, Hough’s lawyers told the judge they felt it was a more appropriate jurisdiction for the case because Minaj lives there.

In a statement released after the hearing, Minaj’s attorney called the plan to reopen the case in California a “frivolous gamble” by Hough’s lawyers to avoid penalties he had recently asked the judge to impose against them as punishment for filing an unfounded lawsuit.

“As usual, they decided to take a tactic without bothering to research the law,” said Judd Burstein, legal counsel for Minaj. “If they did, they would realize that re-filing their frivolous action in another jurisdiction will only result in a penalty from another court.”

Tyrone Blackburne, a Hough attorney, confirmed the case would be closed in California, but with “multiple causes of action” and potentially an unnamed new defendant. He also responded directly to Burstein’s allegations.

“If I were Ms. Maraj, I would pay close attention to the bill she receives from her lawyer,” Blackburne said, using the legal name of Minaj. “Since the start of the lawsuit he has engaged in a billing exercise by proposing to file an incalculable number of frivolous penalties, none of which have been filed, and none of which have any merit. I look forward to receiving this latest edition of your lawyer’s billing exercise, carefully framed as a sanctioning motion. “

Hough sued in August, claiming she was raped by Petty in 1994 and then forced to remain silent. She said she had been “traumatized all her life” and then she and her family were subjected to harassment and intimidation by Minaj and Petty. Both of them strongly denied the allegations.

After months of disordered procedural disputes – Hough said they should be hit with automatic “default” judgments for not responding, while Minaj and Petty said they were never properly served – Hough withdrew his claims against Minaj without any. explanation. At the time, Blackburne told Billboard to “stay tuned!”

Although the case against Minaj was dropped last week and will be filed again in California, New York’s charges against Petty will continue for the time being. Hough is still seeking a default judgment against him, which the judge will soon decide whether or not to concede.

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