Rapper Nicki Minaj has avoided the potential sale of her $20 million Hidden Hills mansion after satisfying a $500,000 judgment awarded to a security guard who sued her and her husband following an alleged assault at a 2019 concert in Germany.
Legal Battle Averted
According to Paul Saso, the guard’s lawyer, “She has satisfied the judgment. It required us going to the one-yard line.” The payment was confirmed just before a Los Angeles Superior Court judge was prepared to rule on a sale of the property. A previous hearing in November was delayed due to a lack of documentation regarding Minaj’s mortgage payments and accrued interest, information the judge deemed necessary to ensure a fair sale price.
The lawsuit, filed in January 2022 by Thomas Weidenmuller, alleges that Kenneth Petty, Minaj’s husband, physically assaulted him after Weidenmuller intervened to protect a female security guard who was being berated by Minaj backstage. Weidenmuller claims Petty “sucker punched” him in the face after Minaj accused the guard of allowing a fan to approach her onstage and then recorded the exchange.
Weidenmuller’s court filings detail significant injuries, including the need for five plates in his jaw and ongoing reconstructive surgery. The initial request for damages was approximately $721,000, but a default judgment of $503,318 was awarded after Minaj and Petty did not respond to the lawsuit. Attempts to collect the judgment through garnishment proved unsuccessful, with seven potential sources claiming they had no funds payable to Minaj.
The court application to force the sale of the mansion stated, “There is little doubt that she is highly capable of paying the judgment in full, and yet, she has refused to do so despite multiple written requests for payment and levies served upon several of her suspected creditors.”
This legal matter occurs as Minaj has recently drawn public attention for political commentary and appearances at conservative events, including expressing support for former President Donald Trump and criticizing California Governor Gavin Newsom. She also recently engaged in a public dispute with former CNN anchor Don Lemon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original claim in the lawsuit?
The lawsuit claimed that Kenneth Petty assaulted Thomas Weidenmuller after Weidenmuller intervened on behalf of a female security guard who was being berated by Nicki Minaj at a 2019 concert in Frankfurt, Germany.
Why was the court considering selling Minaj’s mansion?
The court was considering selling Minaj’s mansion as a means of enforcing a $500,000 default judgment awarded to the security guard after Minaj and Petty did not respond to the lawsuit.
What ultimately prevented the sale of the mansion?
Nicki Minaj satisfied the $500,000 judgment, averting the need for the court to order the sale of her property.
As Minaj has now settled the judgment, what implications might this have for future legal actions against her or her husband?
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