Cardi B cleared in $24 million civil assault case

Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B has walked away unscathed from a $24 million civil assault and battery lawsuit after a Los Angeles jury ruled she was not liable for allegedly attacking former security guard Emani Ellis in 2018.

The decision spares the rapper from paying damages and gives her room to challenge what she describes as “frivolous lawsuits” aimed at celebrities.

Hallway clash at OB-GYN office, evidence gaps proved decisive

Ellis claimed that Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, professionally known as Cardi B, who was four months pregnant at the time, lashed out during a hallway confrontation outside a Beverly Hills OB-GYN clinic—spitting on her, scratching her with a fingernail, and using racial slurs.

Cardi admitted to a heated argument but denied ever touching Ellis, saying the guard had violated her privacy by filming her and announcing her presence in public. Jurors took less than an hour to side with the rapper after her doctor and a receptionist testified that the dispute was strictly verbal.

Ellis’s plastic surgeon said he treated scars years later, but the delay in treatment and absence of reliable video footage undercut her claims. The jury ultimately dismissed every allegation, including assault, battery, emotional distress, and negligence.

Cardi B: Next time, I’ll countersue

Outside the courthouse, Cardi said the trial showed how easily public figures can be targeted. “I did not touch that woman,” she told reporters. “The next time someone brings a frivolous lawsuit against me, I’m going to countersue. I’m going to make you pay, because this is not okay.”

The outcome comes as Cardi still faces other legal disputes, including a civil complaint over a microphone-throwing incident at a Las Vegas show. Legal experts say the Beverly Hills case reflects the tensions between public access to celebrities and their right to privacy, especially in moments involving pregnancy, security, and constant filming.

Verdict draws a line as Cardi B balances fans and finances

Though Ellis demanded millions, Cardi’s earnings remain intact—unlike some peers who have disclosed heavy business losses from lawsuits. She reminded fans that her money goes to her children and family, thanking them for standing by her. “People think celebrities will just hand over money,” she said. “I work hard every day. I’m not going to settle just to make it go away.”

For Cardi B, the verdict closes a six-year ordeal that began with a hallway encounter at a doctor’s office. For the entertainment world, it’s another example of how legal fights, reputational risks, and privacy disputes often collide in the lives of global stars.