Los angles , US
September 4, 2025
In a swift and decisive legal victory, the musician Cardi B has been cleared of charges related to the alleged assault of a security guard, bringing to a close a high-profile lawsuit that had garnered significant media attention. A Los Angeles jury, after deliberating for just under an hour, unanimously sided with the Grammy-winning rapper, finding her not liable for the claims brought against her. The verdict signals a major win for Cardi B, who has consistently maintained her innocence throughout the contentious civil trial.
The lawsuit was filed by former security guard Emani Ellis, who alleged that Cardi B assaulted her outside a Beverly Hills obstetrician’s office in February 2018. Ellis claimed that the rapper scratched her face with a fingernail and spat on her during a heated argument. At the time of the incident, Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, was four months pregnant with her first child and had not yet publicly announced her pregnancy. The lawsuit sought $24 million in damages, including compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, and lost wages.
Throughout the multi-day trial, which was livestreamed and featured several viral moments, Cardi B testified that while the two had a verbal dispute, no physical contact ever occurred. She explained that she became upset when she believed Ellis was recording her on a phone, fearing that the video would reveal her pregnancy before she was ready to share the news. “I will say it on my deathbed,” the rapper told reporters outside the courthouse. “I did not touch that woman.” Her account was corroborated by the doctor’s office staff, who testified that they did not see a physical altercation.
Emani Ellis, in her testimony, alleged that the incident left a permanent scar on her face that required cosmetic surgery and that she lost her job as a result. However, the jury, comprised of six men and six women, ultimately found that she had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove her claims of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence.
Following the verdict, Cardi B celebrated the win and was quick to issue a warning to others. She called the lawsuit “frivolous” and vowed to countersue anyone who files similar legal claims against her in the future. “I am not that celeb that you sue and you think is going to settle,” she stated to the media. “I’m not gonna settle. Especially when I’m super, completely innocent.”
The case brought to light the challenges celebrities face with high-stakes civil litigation and the public’s perception of them. It also highlighted the importance of a jury’s role in assessing the credibility of witnesses and the weight of the evidence presented. While Ellis’s legal team has announced plans to appeal the verdict, for now, the ruling represents a full exoneration for Cardi B, allowing her to put the 2018 incident behind her.
Headline Points
* Verdict Reached: A Los Angeles jury has cleared musician Cardi B of all charges in a civil lawsuit filed by a former security guard.
* Allegations Dismissed: The jury found Cardi B not liable for claims that she scratched and spat on the security guard, who had sought $24 million in damages.
* No Physical Contact: Cardi B testified that while the two had a verbal argument over her being filmed while secretly pregnant, there was no physical contact.
* Swift Decision: The jury deliberated for less than an hour before reaching its unanimous verdict in favor of the rapper.
* Warning to Others: Following the win, Cardi B stated she would not settle “frivolous” lawsuits and would consider countersuing in the future.
