According to Rolling Stone, Judge Cindy Pánuco indicated on Monday that she intends to grant an application allowing the sale of the property. The only remaining requirement is the submission of a detailed mortgage statement from Bank of America, after which the ruling is expected to proceed.
Background of the Case
The dispute traces back to a concert in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2019. Security guard Thomas Weidenmuller claims he was punched by Petty while attempting to defend a female colleague. Reports indicate that Minaj allegedly berated the security team and threw a shoe at Weidenmuller, who was hit shortly afterward by Petty from behind, resulting in a broken jaw.
Court filings state that Weidenmuller required multiple surgeries, including the insertion of five plates in his jaw, and still faces further reconstructive procedures. The court issued a default judgment of $503,318 after the couple failed to respond to the lawsuit, covering medical expenses and damages for pain and suffering.
Failed Attempts to Recover the Payment
Legal filings suggest that Weidenmuller’s team made numerous attempts to collect the judgment. These included letters demanding payment, levies on suspected creditors, outreach to seven potential garnishees, and efforts to serve Minaj and Petty both in person and by mail, including through their gated community. With no payment forthcoming, the plaintiff turned to one of the most extreme measures under California law: forcing the sale of the debtor’s primary residence.
Purchased by Minaj in October 2022, the Hidden Hills home reportedly carries a $13.3 million mortgage lien. After accounting for the mortgage and the rapper’s homestead exemption, the sale could generate roughly $6 million in recoverable funds.
Next Steps
At Monday’s hearing, Judge Pánuco set a follow-up session for January 22 to verify all financial details before issuing a final order. The plaintiff argued that the sale “would satisfy the entire judgment” and noted that Minaj’s estimated $150 million net worth made refusal to pay particularly problematic.
Broader Context
Kenneth Petty is also facing a separate sexual assault lawsuit in New York and previously served probation for failing to register as a sex offender after relocating to Los Angeles. Nicki Minaj has not publicly commented on the ongoing legal matter.
The case underscores the lengths to which courts can go to enforce financial judgments, even against high-profile celebrities, and highlights ongoing legal challenges surrounding Petty.