Cardi B just scored a significant victory in court for her civil assault trial, and the decision came swiftly.
On Tuesday, a jury in Alhambra, California, took just one hour to rule in Cardi’s favor in a civil assault lawsuit filed by former security guard Emani Ellis. Ellis alleged that Cardi had cut her face with a nail and spat on her during a heated altercation back in 2018. The jury’s verdict was unanimous: Cardi was found not liable.
The case revolved around a tense incident that occurred at a doctor’s office in Beverly Hills while Cardi was four months pregnant with her first child. Ellis claimed she suffered both physical injuries and emotional distress as a result of Cardi’s actions. However, Cardi remained steadfast in her testimony, asserting to the jury, “I will say it on my deathbed. I did not touch that woman.” Clearly, the jurors believed her.
After the win, Cardi didn’t shy away from expressing her triumph. Outside the courthouse, she took photos with fans and made her position clear: she won’t tolerate anyone trying to profit from false allegations. “The next person who tries to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I’m going to counter-sue. I’m not that celeb that you sue and think is going to settle. I’m not gonna settle. Especially when I’m super completely innocent,” she declared.
Cardi also shared that she had to miss her kids’ first day of school for the trial, humorously mentioning that her forehead felt “raw, raw, raw” from the multiple wig changes she made during court.
The courtroom drama provided plenty of viral moments for social media. One camera captured Cardi throwing a marker at a man who yelled intrusive questions about her possibly being pregnant again and whether Offset was the father. She quickly shut him down, reminding him to “respect women.”
During the trial, Ellis testified that the incident left her feeling humiliated, scarred her face, and derailed her aspirations of a law enforcement career. Her lawyer claimed the trauma impacted her future job opportunities. Cardi, however, described a different scenario, asserting that Ellis had followed her, recorded her, and escalated the confrontation.
A receptionist who was present during the incident supported Cardi’s account, confirming to the jurors that Cardi did not physically confront Ellis.
Looking ahead, Ellis was reportedly seeking up to $24 million in damages, although she didn’t specify a figure during the trial. Her attorney has indicated that an appeal may be forthcoming, but for now, it’s a big win for Cardi B.
Fans are celebrating the verdict online, seeing it as clear evidence that Cardi won’t back down, whether in court or beyond. Many also believe the case illustrates how frequently celebrities face lawsuits designed to exploit their financial resources and patience.
