BREAKING: Cardi B has been cleared of assault charges after a Los Angeles jury deliberated for less than an hour, concluding a highly public civil trial. The verdict, delivered earlier today at the Alhambra courthouse, ended allegations that the Grammy-winning rapper attacked security guard Emani Ellis during a confrontation in 2018.
The jury’s swift decision clears Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, of claims that she scratched Ellis with a three-inch fingernail and spat on her outside an obstetrician’s office. Cardi B faced accusations of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment, all of which were dismissed in record time.
Outside the courthouse, Cardi B expressed gratitude towards her legal team and fans, reaffirming her innocence. “Let’s just put this behind,” she stated, adding, “I am not that celeb you gonna sue and you think is going to settle. Especially when I am super, completely innocent.”
The case revolved around an incident that occurred when Cardi B was four months pregnant with her first child. The rapper claimed that Ellis, who was working as a security guard at the time, followed her into the building, leading to a confrontation that Cardi described as a “verbal fight” rather than a physical altercation.
Ellis alleged she was left with a scar requiring cosmetic surgery after Cardi B scratched her face. She sought damages exceeding $24 million for medical expenses, emotional suffering, and lost wages. However, Ellis’s attorney emphasized that it was up to the jury to determine the appropriate compensation, not the sum initially claimed.
The trial featured several memorable moments, including Cardi B’s viral responses during her testimony. When questioned about her ability to scratch someone while pregnant, the rapper humorously replied, “At that moment, when you’re pregnant, I’m very disabled. Do you want me to tell you things I can’t do?” Her testimony was filled with candid remarks, often bringing laughter from those present in the courtroom.
Witnesses, including Dr. David Finke and receptionist Tierra Malcolm, testified in support of Cardi B’s account, stating they observed no physical fight. Malcolm described the argument but hesitated to use profanity, prompting laughter in the courtroom when Judge Ian C Fusselman encouraged her to speak freely.
This swift verdict marks a significant moment in Cardi B’s legal battles, as she continues to navigate the challenges of public life amid personal controversies. With the jury’s ruling, the rapper can now focus on her career and family, leaving the incident behind her.
As Cardi B concludes this chapter, she reminds her fans of her resilience: “I know I’ve got a little reputation but I swear to god I am innocent.”
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
