The rapper faces losing her California home after failing to pay a security guard who sued her and Kenneth Petty
Nicki Minaj could be forced to say goodbye to her multimillion-dollar California estate as a Los Angeles judge moves forward with plans to order the sale of her home. The decision comes after the rapper failed to pay a $500,000 judgment stemming from a lawsuit filed by a security guard who claims he was assaulted by her husband, Kenneth Petty.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Cindy Pánuco indicated during a Monday hearing that she intends to grant a motion requiring the forced sale of the property to satisfy the outstanding debt. The ruling follows months of inaction from Minaj, who has yet to settle the judgment despite losing the case years ago.
The judge weighs her options
Judge Pánuco told the courtroom she plans to move forward with ordering the sale but wants to ensure all details are properly addressed before finalizing her decision. She’s currently waiting for documentation from Bank of America showing how much of the mansion’s $13 million mortgage has been paid since Minaj purchased the property in October 2022. The home is now valued at approximately $20 million.
The judge also expressed concern about what might happen if the property doesn’t sell for its full market value at auction. She explained that if bidders fail to offer the complete $20 million and the sale doesn’t generate enough money to cover both the mortgage and the judgment, she would need additional evidence to determine the next steps.
A follow-up hearing has been scheduled for January 22, 2026, giving both parties time to gather the necessary financial documentation.
How the lawsuit began
The legal troubles trace back to an incident in Germany in 2019. Thomas Weidenmuller, who worked as a security guard during one of Minaj’s performances, filed a lawsuit against both the rapper and Petty in 2022. According to his complaint, he was attacked by Petty after allowing a fan to join Minaj on stage during the show.
Weidenmuller alleged that the assault happened at Minaj’s direction, claiming she ordered her husband to confront him over the security lapse. The situation escalated into physical violence, leading to the lawsuit that would eventually threaten the rapper’s real estate holdings.
A costly default judgment
Minaj’s legal troubles were compounded by her failure to respond to the lawsuit after it was filed. When a defendant doesn’t answer a complaint or appear in court, judges can issue a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff. That’s exactly what happened in this case, resulting in a court order requiring Minaj to pay $503,000 to Weidenmuller.
Despite the judgment being issued, Minaj has not paid the settlement amount. This nonpayment prompted Weidenmuller to file a motion last month asking the court to force the sale of her home to collect what he’s owed. The motion argued that selling the property was necessary because other collection efforts had failed.
The mansion at stake
The Hidden Hills property in question represents a significant investment for the rapper. Purchased for $13 million in late 2022, the estate has appreciated in value and is now worth an estimated $20 million. The home sits in one of California’s most exclusive neighborhoods, an area known for celebrity residents who prize privacy and luxury.
If the forced sale moves forward, the proceeds would first need to cover the remaining mortgage balance before addressing the lawsuit judgment. Depending on how much of the mortgage has been paid down over the past two years, there may or may not be sufficient equity to fully satisfy Weidenmuller’s claim.
What happens next
The January hearing will prove critical in determining whether Minaj can keep her home or if it will be sold at auction. Judge Pánuco’s decision to wait for the Bank of America statement suggests she wants a complete financial picture before issuing her final order.
For Minaj, the situation represents a cautionary tale about the consequences of ignoring legal proceedings. What began as an alleged assault at a concert has snowballed into a threat to her real estate portfolio, all because she failed to respond to the initial lawsuit.
The case also highlights the power of default judgments in the legal system. When defendants don’t participate in their own defense, courts can make decisions without hearing their side of the story, leading to outcomes that might have been different had they engaged with the process.
As the January hearing approaches, all eyes will be on whether the rapper finally settles the debt or loses her California mansion to satisfy a judgment that’s been outstanding for years.