Jury clears Cardi B of assault on security guard in Los Angeles

A Los Angeles jury has ruled in favour of rapper Cardi B, dismissing a $24 million lawsuit filed by security guard Emani Ellis, who accused the star of assaulting her with a long fingernail and spitting on her outside a medical office in 2018.

Ellis claimed the incident left her emotionally scarred, alleging that Cardi B, then four months pregnant with her first child, cut her cheek with a 3-inch nail and verbally attacked her. The pregnancy was not yet public, and the obstetrician’s office had closed for the day to protect the rapper’s privacy.

During the civil trial in Alhambra, Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, testified that Ellis had followed her, filmed her without consent, and refused to give her space. She admitted to a heated verbal exchange but firmly denied any physical contact or spitting.

The jury took just an hour to reach a unanimous decision, clearing Cardi B of all charges, including assault, battery, emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment.

Her courtroom appearances sparked viral attention, with the rapper changing wigs and outfits daily. Her fingernail style even became a focal point of the trial. One fan outside the courthouse held a sign that read, “If the nail don’t fit, u must acquit,” echoing the famous O.J. Simpson trial phrase.

After the verdict, Cardi B addressed reporters, 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 not to harass Ellis or her family following the ruling.

Testimony from the doctor and his receptionist, Tierra Malcolm, supported Cardi B’s version of events. Malcolm described Ellis as the aggressor, claiming the security guard swung her arms in an attempt to strike Cardi B, resulting in Malcolm herself being injured.

Ultimately, the jury found no liability on Cardi B’s part, ending the high-profile civil case with a decisive win for the Grammy-winning artist.

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