Rapper Cardi B has been cleared of all charges in a high-stakes civil assault lawsuit. A jury sided with the artist, dismissing a security guard’s claim of a 2018 physical attack and a $24 million demand for damages.
LOS ANGELES, California — In a swift and decisive legal victory, a Los Angeles jury has cleared Grammy-winning artist Cardi B of all liability in a civil assault lawsuit brought by a former security guard.
After just one hour of deliberation, the 12-person jury delivered a unanimous verdict in favor of the rapper, putting an end to a high-profile case that captivated online audiences with its viral moments and raw courtroom testimony.
The case, which stemmed from a heated verbal altercation in 2018, saw the plaintiff, Emani Ellis, sue the superstar for a staggering $24 million, alleging physical assault, emotional distress, and negligence.
However, the verdict marks a complete rejection of Ellis’s claims, with the jury finding that the plaintiff failed to provide convincing evidence that a physical attack ever took place.
The Allegations: A Confrontation at a Doctor’s Office
The lawsuit, filed in 2020, centred on an incident that occurred in February 2018 at a Beverly Hills obstetrician’s office. At the time, Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, was four months into her pregnancy with her first child, Kulture.
The pregnancy was a closely guarded secret, known only to her inner circle, and the doctor’s office had been closed for the day to ensure her privacy.
According to Ellis, who was working as a security guard for the building, the situation turned confrontational when she approached Cardi B about a commotion in the hallway. Ellis alleged that Cardi B became enraged, scratching her face with a three-inch fingernail and spitting on her.
The security guard claimed the incident left her with a permanent facial scar that required plastic surgery and caused significant emotional trauma, leading to her losing her job.
Cardi B’s Defense: Privacy and a Verbal Altercation
Taking the stand in her own defense, Cardi B admitted that she and Ellis were involved in a heated verbal dispute but adamantly denied that any physical contact was made.
She testified that the argument began when she grew concerned that Ellis was attempting to film her on a cell phone and reveal her secret pregnancy to the public.
“I will say it on my deathbed: I did not touch that woman,” Cardi B told reporters outside the courthouse following the verdict. On the witness stand, she admitted to cursing at Ellis during the “chest-to-chest” exchange but maintained that Ellis was the aggressor, backing into her and escalating the argument. The rapper’s legal team successfully argued that the plaintiff’s claims were unsubstantiated and that there was no concrete proof of assault.
A key piece of evidence for the defense was the testimony of a receptionist who broke up the argument. The receptionist, Tierra Malcolm, largely supported Cardi B’s account, stating that while she heard an “epic yelling match,” she did not witness any physical fighting between the two women.
Malcolm did testify that she herself received a minor scratch on her face but believed it was from the plaintiff, not Cardi B.
A Trial Full of Viral Moments
The two-day trial was live-streamed and became a viral sensation, showcasing the rapper’s unfiltered personality and sharp wit. In a moment that was widely circulated online, Cardi B appeared to briefly doze off during the plaintiff’s closing arguments, prompting jokes from fans about “courtroom fatigue.”
In another memorable exchange, she clarified to the plaintiff’s attorney that she had called Ellis a “bitch,” not “fat,” when asked about her language during the 2018 altercation.
During the proceedings, Cardi B also expressed her frustration at having to miss her children’s first day of school for what she called a “frivolous” lawsuit.
The trial concluded with the plaintiff’s lawyer, Ron Rosen Janfaza, accusing Cardi B of using “foul language” in court and showing disrespect for the legal process.
The Aftermath: A Warning and a Promise
After the verdict was read, Cardi B’s celebratory remarks outside the courthouse were as candid and unapologetic as her testimony. She warned others against pursuing similar legal actions, stating, “The next person to try to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I’m going to countersue, and you’re going to pay. I’m not that celeb that you’re going to sue and I’m going to settle. I work hard for my money.”
For Emani Ellis, the verdict was a bitter defeat. Her lawyer, Ron Rosen Janfaza, said they plan to appeal the decision. Ellis, speaking to reporters, stood by her story, saying, “What she did to me was real.”
The verdict not only represents a significant legal victory for Cardi B but also sends a clear message that she is not afraid to fight baseless claims in court, even when the potential costs are staggering. For now, this legal chapter is closed, allowing the artist to move forward with her career, leaving the courtroom drama behind.
