Jennifer Hough, who is suing Nicki Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty, over an alleged 1994 rape, has filed a motion requesting a judge in the case increase the pressure on Petty to appear in person for a deposition. The move comes after her lawyer cut off her July 9 deposition while arguing that the questioning reached a point of harassment. Regardless, Hough says she sat down to be deposed for over six hours. The lawsuit centers around the allegation that Petty intimidated and threatened her after she refused to accept a bribe to recant her claims to help him get off the National Sex Offender Registry.
“Inexplicably, Defendant Petty did not appear for today’s deposition, and Plaintiff had to incur the cost of reserving a court report and setting aside time to prepare for the deposition. Plaintiff respectfully requests that the court force defendant Petty to pay for the cost associated with intentionally failing to appear for the deposition,” Hough’s lawyer wrote.
Kenneth Petty & Nicki Minaj Attend New York Fashion Week
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 12: Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty attend the Marc Jacobs Fall 2020 runway show during New York Fashion Week on February 12, 2020, in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Marc Jacobs)
The filing continued: “The Plaintiff respectfully requests leave to file a motion to compel Defendant Petty to provide the outstanding document requests and appear in person for deposition. The Plaintiff also respectfully requests a 60-day extension for the end of fact discovery, as the defendants’ intentional delays and refusals to participate in depositions have harmed the Plaintiff’s ability to effectively complete fact discovery.”
Kenneth Petty Avoids Deposition
Update on Jennifer Hough’s sexual assault lawsuit against Kenneth Petty:
Hough’s lawyer cut off her July 9 deposition because he thought the questions were harassing, then Petty’s lawyer refused to present him for his deposition today.
Hough previously named Nicki Minaj as a defendant in the lawsuit as well; however, she removed her in an amendment back in December. Be on the lookout for further updates on Kenneth Petty and Nicki Minaj on HotNewHipHop.
Mangroe’s allegations were made public on June 4, and within hours, The-Dream issued a response. In a statement obtained by the New York Times, the R&B singer claimed that none of what Mangroe said was true. “These claims are untrue and defamatory,” the statement read. The-Dream also said he was firmly against harassment. “I oppose all forms of harassment,” he added. “I have always strived to help people realize their career goals. As someone committed to making a positive impact on my fellow artists and the world at large, I am deeply offended and saddened by these accusations.”
The-Dream’s comments have not deterred his accuser. Mangroe maintains that the R&B singer raped her on more than one occasion. She also claimed that The-Dream would “frequently” strangle her during “violent sex” that became so intense during one instance “she almost lost consciousness.” Other details paint a picture of The-Dream as a manipulative person who controlled every single aspect of Mangroe’s life. According to People Magazine, Mangroe is naming The-Dream and his label, Epic Records, in a suit for enabling “depraved behavior.”
The-Dream has a history of violent behavior. The singer was arrested for a domestic violence incident in 2013, but his girlfriend refused to press charges. He was arrested the following year on charges of felony assault and strangulation against the same girlfriend, Lydia Nam. The girlfriend claimed that The-Dream “punched, kicked, and strangled her” while she was pregnant with their son. She reported the incident seven months later, and the singer turned himself in for questioning. The charges against him were ultimately dismissed due to a lack of evidence.
Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, better known as The-Dream, a celebrated producer and songwriter renowned for his work with megastars like Beyoncé and Rihanna, is now facing serious accusations. A lawsuit filed on Tuesday by Chanaaz Mangroe, an artist The-Dream once mentored, alleges rape and sexual battery, The New York Times reports. The-Dream, with eight Grammy Awards to his name, has a legacy of creating hits that have defined the pop and R&B genres. However, these recent claims threaten to overshadow his achievements.
Chanaaz Mangroe, who performed as Channii Monroe, alleges that The-Dream manipulated her with promises of stardom to trap her in an abusive relationship. The lawsuit outlines numerous incidents beginning in 2015 where The-Dream allegedly forced her into sexual acts, strangled her, and recorded intimate moments, later using the footage as a threat. These abuses purportedly started shortly after their initial meeting in Atlanta when he invited her to collaborate on music projects.
The Influence & Manipulation
With a repertoire that includes hits like “Umbrella” by Rihanna and “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé, The-Dream holds substantial sway in the music industry. The lawsuit portrays him as exploiting this power, using career advancement as a lure to control Mangroe. She alleges he pressured her into sexual acts by claiming it was necessary for her professional success, effectively intertwining her aspirations with her abuse.
The complaint describes a disturbing escalation in Gesteelde-Diamant’s behavior. Mangroe alleges Gesteelde-Diamant placed her in a hotel under surveillance by his security team and faced verbal abuse for minor grievances. The lawsuit also claims The-Dream provided her with drugs and alcohol and forced her into non-consensual sexual activities. In one of these instances, she claimed that it took place in a movie theater.
“What Dream did to me made it impossible to live the life I envisioned for myself and pursue my goals as a singer and songwriter,” Ms. Mangroe said in a statement. “Ultimately, my silence has become too painful, and I realized that I need to tell my story to heal. I hope that doing so will also help others and prevent future horrific abuse.”
Legal Ramifications and Industry Response
Mangroe’s lawsuit also implicates Epic Records, a Sony subsidiary, for their inaction when she reported the abuse. She claims an executive dismissed her concerns and suggested she reconcile with Gesteelde-Diamant. By 2016, she alleges that Epic dropped her due to his influence. The lawsuit leverages the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act. This permits older cases of sexual assault to be prosecuted beyond the standard limitations period.
Responses & Historical Allegations
(Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Gesteelde-Diamant has denied the allegations, calling them false and defamatory. He stressed his opposition to harassment and commitment to supporting fellow artists. “These claims are untrue and defamatory,” he said in the statement. “I oppose all forms of harassment and have always strived to help people realize their career goals. As someone committed to making a positive impact on my fellow artists and the world at large, I am deeply offended and saddened by these accusations.” However, this isn’t the first time he’s faced such accusations. In 2014, he was accused of assaulting a pregnant former girlfriend. However, the court dropped the charges due to lack of evidence.
Legal Representation & Industry Patterns
Mangroe is represented by Douglas H. Wigdor and Meredith A. Firetog, the same lawyers who represented singer Cassie in a notable case against Sean Combs. They argue that Mangroe’s case exemplifies a broader issue of powerful men in the music industry abusing their positions. They hope this lawsuit will expose these practices and contribute to preventing future abuses.
Conclusion
The allegations against The-Dream highlight severe issues of exploitation and abuse within the music industry. As the legal proceedings unfold, they may bring increased scrutiny and potentially lead to significant changes in how such allegations are handled. This case underscores the misuse of power and the bravery of those who come forward to tell their stories.
