Cardi B Cleared of $24 Million Assault Lawsuit by Los Angeles Jury

A Los Angeles jury has cleared Cardi B of all civil assault charges brought against her by a former security guard Emani Ellis. The verdict arrived less than an hour after deliberation and finds Cardi B not liable for any wrongdoing stemming from an altercation outside a Beverly Hills medical office in 2018.

Emani Ellis sued the rapper for $24 million, alleging that Cardi B hit her, scratched her face with her nails, and spit on her while Ellis was working as security at the facility. Ellis claimed that Cardi B’s long fingernails left cuts on her face that required plastic surgery to fix. She sought damages for medical expenses, emotional distress, and lost wages.

Cardi B took the stand and adamantly denied ever laying hands on Ellis. Speaking outside of the courthouse, the rapper said: “I am not even playing around. Even if I’m in my deathbed, I swear to God, I will say it in my deathbed, I did not touch that woman. I did not touch that girl. I did not lay my hands on that girl.”

“The next person that try to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I’m going to counter sue,” Cardi B told reporters outside of the court house. “I’m going to make you pay, because this is not okay. People have this misinterpretation of celebrities, like ‘oh well we can ask for this and they’re going to settle.’ Don’t you ever think that you’re going to sue me and I’m just going to settle and just give you my money. It’s not going to happen.”

Cardi B accused Ellis of recording her without consent as she entered her OB-GYN appointment. While acknowledging she had a verbal dispute with Ellis, Cardi B insisted that no physical contact occurred. Ellis says she intends to appeal the decision.

This high-profile case is not the first time the rapper has faced scrutiny over her aggressive behavior. In July 2023, she threw a microphone into the crowd at a Las Vegas performance after an audience member threw a drink on stage. Police investigated that incident, but no criminal charges were filed and the attendee’s claim was dismissed.