Kenneth Petty and Jennifer Hough are still headed for a courtroom fight, with a federal judge confirming that neither side sees much value in trying to settle their $20 million case.
During a status conference on Tuesday in the Eastern District of New York, Magistrate Judge James R. Cho declared discovery complete and set fresh deadlines as the lawsuit enters its next phase.
The court record says the “parties do not believe settlement discussions would be productive at this time.”
Hough sued Petty and his wife, Nicki Minaj, in 2021, accusing them of harassment, witness intimidation and emotional distress. She alleged the pair tried to pressure her into recanting allegations connected to Petty’s 1995 conviction for first-degree attempted rape.
Minaj was dismissed from the lawsuit in 2022, leaving Petty as the only remaining defendant.
Petty has denied Hough’s claims throughout the case.
Hough’s attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, has previously accused Petty of dragging out discovery and failing to provide financial documents. Blackburn specifically cited Petty’s alleged “refusal to produce tax returns and financial records.”
Cho also ordered Hough to confirm the withdrawal of an expert witness by August 12. The withdrawal is with prejudice, so that expert cannot return later.
Both sides are now required to file a joint pretrial order by October 12.
