By Deborah Nnamdi
A Los Angeles jury has cleared Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B of assault and related claims in a $24 million civil lawsuit brought by a security guard who alleged the artist attacked her outside a medical office in 2018.
The case, which was tried last week in Alhambra, centered on accusations from Emani Ellis, a former security guard, who claimed Cardi B struck her in the face with a 3-inch fingernail and spat on her during a confrontation outside an obstetrician’s office. Ellis said the altercation left her with a facial injury and emotional trauma.
At the time of the incident, Cardi B was four months pregnant with her first child — a fact that had not yet been made public. The doctor’s office reportedly closed for the day to protect the rapper’s privacy.
Taking the stand during the trial, Cardi B denied the allegations and testified that Ellis had followed her, filmed her without consent, and invaded her personal space. The rapper described the encounter as invasive and distressing.
After roughly an hour of deliberation, the jury sided with Cardi B, finding her not liable on all counts — including assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment.
Following the verdict, Cardi B addressed reporters outside the courtroom, saying:
“I work all day and I work hard for my money, for my kids, for the people that I take care of. So don’t you ever think that you’re going to sue me, and I’m just going to settle.”
She also urged her fans to respect Ellis’s privacy now that the case had concluded.
Shortly after the trial, Cardi B found herself in another tense moment — this time with a reporter who posed invasive questions about her personal life. Visibly pregnant, the rapper confronted the journalist who asked,
“Cardi, insiders are claiming that Offset is publicly bragging about getting you pregnant for the 4th time. Do you foresee any paternity issues with Stefa and Big?”
Cardi B reacted strongly, throwing a pen at the reporter and responding:
“Stop disrespecting me. Don’t disrespect me.”
“Do you see women asking those types of questions to me? Why do you feel, as a man, that you get to ask me those kinds of questions? Act like you have some manners. And your mama taught you to respect women.”
The heated exchange drew mixed reactions online. While many praised her for standing up against what they saw as disrespectful and sexist questioning, others expressed concern that her reaction involved physical aggression so soon after being cleared in an assault case.
Still, throughout both the courtroom battle and the public spotlight, Cardi B has remained unapologetically assertive — showing resilience, clarity, and a continued demand for respect in both her personal and professional life.
