Nicki Minaj has successfully avoided giving a deposition in the wrongful death lawsuit involving the hit-and-run driver who killed her father. According to an exclusive report by In Touch Weekly on June 24th, a New York judge denied Charles Polevich’s request to question Minaj under oath about her childhood and her father, Robert Maraj. Polevich sought to depose Minaj, claiming her lyrics referenced alleged abuse by her father towards her mother, Carol Maraj.
Carol Maraj initiated the lawsuit against Polevich following the February 2021 incident. Polevich, who was driving the car that killed Robert Maraj, requested the court’s permission in April to depose the rapper as part of the legal proceedings. In his motion, Polevich’s lawyer argued that Carol Maraj had already been deposed over two days, most recently on December 15, 2023. The lawyer stated, “The deposition involves questions wherein the issue of domestic abuse is discussed,” adding that while Carol acknowledged statements on the topic, she did not provide substantial responses regarding their accuracy.
Robert Maraj’s death occurred over three years ago in a hit-and-run on Long Island on February 12, 2021. He was struck while walking between Roslyn Road and Raff Avenue and was later pronounced dead in the hospital at age 64. Polevich, 72, initially faced a potential seven-year prison sentence but was ultimately sentenced to one year by Judge Howard Sturim in Nassau County, New York. He pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of the incident without reporting it and tampering with physical evidence, leading to a one-year prison sentence, a six-month license suspension, and a $5,000 fine. After altering the appearance of his vehicle, Polevich surrendered to Nassau County Police three days post-incident.
The court’s decision means Minaj will not have to testify about her childhood or her father’s alleged abusive behavior in this case.