No Charges For Nicki Minaj Yet; Detroit Assault Investigation Ongoing

DETROIT — Grammy Award-winning rapper Nicki Minaj will not immediately face charges in connection with an assault that a former manager says happened after a Detroit concert last year, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

Prosecutors denied the warrant request due to "insufficient evidence to prove that a crime has been committed," according to the office.

However, prosecutors did request police to further investigate the incident, which Brandon Garrett claims happened at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on April 21, 2025 when Minaj struck him in the face with an open hand, TMZ reported.

Garrett, 40, of Sun Valley, Calif., claims the incident left him "incredibly scared," and he's suing Minaj for assault, battery, and "intentional infliction of emotional distress," the outlet reported.

Minaj’s lawyer, Judd Burstein, told Variety his client denies the allegations.

"At this time, no complaint has been served upon Mrs. Petty [Minaj’s husband is Kenneth Petty], and therefore, we are unaware of the specific allegations," Bernstein told Variety. "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 favor."