Nicki Minaj to potentially stand trial for assault after lawsuit
The New Year has started off rocky for Nicki Minaj, and she has faced a number of issues. However, one of the most significant is a lawsuit. On January 3rd, a former employee sued Nicki Minaj for an alleged incident that occurred during her Pink Friday 2 tour.
On January 3rd, Brandon Garrett, who worked as Minaj’s day-to-day manager during the tour, alleges he was attacked by the rapper after a concert in Detroit on April 21st at the Little Ceasers Arena. Furthermore, Garrett claims he was hit multiple times by Minaj following an angry backstage encounter.
That said, it has been made public that Minaj may end up facing criminal charges over the alleged incident. As reported by hip-hop media outlet TMZ, the Detroit Police Department has requested an arrest warrant from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. If granted, it could see the Queens rapper end up in a legal trial pertaining to assault.
In his lawsuit, Garrett claims Minaj got physical with him after learning he had sent someone else to pick up one of her prescriptions. The rapper allegedly screamed, “Are you f***ing crazy having him pick up my prescription?” at him in her dressing room before the Detroit performance.
She supposedly continued, “You have lost your f*cking mind, and if my husband were here, he would knock out your f*cking teeth. You’re a dead man walking. You just f*cked up your whole life, and you will never be anyone. I’ll make sure of it.”
The lawsuit also details, “At this point, Defendant Maraj open-handedly struck Plaintiff on the right side of his face, causing his head to swing backwards as his hat flew off his head.”
One of the more shocking allegations made by Garrett is that Minaj smacked him on the right side of his face with an open hand as well as on his right wrist. Following the exchange, has claimed he ran out of the room and hid inside a restroom at Little Caesars Arena for hours while fearing for his safety.
This civil lawsuit accuses Minaj of assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Therefore, Garrett is seeking damages from Minaj. When the news of Garrett’s lawsuit first hit social media, Minaj’s attorney, Judd Burstein, told TMZ, “At this time, no complaint has been served upon Mrs Petty (Nicki’s married name), and therefore, we are unaware of the specific allegations. However, if the lawsuit is as reported by TMZ, it is completely false and frivolous. We are confident that the matter brought by this ex-assistant will be resolved swiftly in Mrs Petty’s favour.”
Although none of the claims made in the lawsuit have been corroborated at trial, the fact Nicki Minaj may have to appear in front of a judge for assault is highly problematic for her and her brand.