A Los Angeles County jury has cleared American rapper Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, known professionally as Cardi B, of all civil allegations in a lawsuit filed by security guard Emani Ellis over an incident that occurred on February 24, 2018.
Ellis accused Cardi B of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment. She alleged that the performer scratched her cheek with a long fingernail, spat on her, and hurled insults during an altercation at a Beverly Hills medical building. At the time, Cardi B was four months pregnant and visiting her obstetrician.
The case was first filed in February 2020. Ellis originally claimed that Cardi B also used her influence to have her dismissed from her job, but this allegation was dropped before the trial began. Ellis sought up to $24 million in damages, including $250,000 for pain and suffering.
During the four-day civil trial, Ellis testified that she was working a routine security patrol when she saw Cardi B exit an elevator. She said the rapper became angry, put a finger in her face, and cut her cheek during the dispute. Ellis described herself as “deeply traumatized” and insisted she never recorded the rapper.
Cardi B rejected these claims under oath. She admitted to a heated verbal argument but said she never touched Ellis. She testified that Ellis followed her, held up a phone, and refused to give her space despite being asked to step back. The rapper stated that she feared for her unborn child and that Ellis “cornered” her in the hallway.
Two key witnesses, Dr. David Finke, the obstetrician Cardi B was visiting, and his receptionist, Tierra Malcolm, both testified that Ellis was the aggressor. Dr. Finke said Ellis was “flailing her arms” and had to be removed from the building. Malcolm told jurors she saw Ellis advancing on Cardi B with her phone in hand. She said Cardi B did not use racial slurs and that Ellis appeared to block the rapper’s movement.
After hearing testimony, jurors deliberated for less than one hour before returning a unanimous verdict in favor of Cardi B. They concluded there was no evidence that she assaulted Ellis or caused her harm.
Outside the courthouse in Alhambra, California, Cardi B told reporters:
“I did not touch that woman. I did not lay my hands on that girl. I swear to God, I’m innocent.”
She also criticized the lawsuit as frivolous, saying:
“I work all day and I work hard for my money, for my kids, for the people that I take care of. Don’t think you’re going to sue me and I’m just going to settle. I’m not that celebrity.”
Cardi B asked her fans not to harass Ellis or her family but warned she would countersue in the future if faced with similar claims.
Ellis maintained her version of events after the ruling:
“I don’t think the verdict reflects the truth, but I’m not disappointed. I had my day in court. I held my head high.”
Her lawyer, Ron Rosen Janfaza, said his client planned to appeal.
This case is one of several legal disputes Cardi B has faced in recent years. She previously won a defamation case against blogger Latasha Kebe, prevailed in a copyright trial over the use of a tattoo image, and was dismissed from a separate libel lawsuit in New York.
In this latest trial, however, the Los Angeles jury determined that the claims of assault and battery brought by Ellis were unproven.
