Cardi B cleared in civil assault trial as jury rules in her favour against security guard

Cardi B wins civil assault trial as jurors unanimously reject claims she attacked a security guard in 2018.

Cardi B has been cleared of civil assault allegations after a jury ruled unanimously in her favour in a case brought by security guard Emani Ellis. The trial concluded in Alhambra, California, with all 12 jurors rejecting claims that the rapper physically assaulted Ellis during a 2018 confrontation.

Ellis alleged Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almánzar, scratched her face during an argument at a Beverly Hills medical building.

The dispute reportedly began when Ellis was accused of filming the rapper, who was then pregnant with her first child. Jurors deliberated for less than an hour before reaching their decision.

Speaking outside court, Almánzar said: “I will say it on my deathbed: I did not touch that woman. I did not lay my hands on that girl.” She added that she would pursue counterclaims in the future if faced with similar lawsuits, stating she was “super completely innocent.”

Two jurors later told Rolling Stone that they did not find the plaintiff’s claims credible. “There wasn’t any other way this could go,” one juror said, while another described the decision as unanimous and straightforward.

Ellis and her lawyer Ron Rosen Janfaza said they plan to appeal. Ellis told reporters she remains “firm” in her version of events and claimed the justice system had failed her.

Witnesses, including Almánzar’s doctor and receptionist, testified that Ellis had her phone in hand throughout the altercation and that the rapper was backed against a wall. Almánzar maintained the dispute was verbal only, with no physical contact.

Ellis originally sued in 2020, claiming assault, battery, and harassment, though some allegations were later dropped. The trial lasted four days.

Cardi B is scheduled to release her second studio album Am I the Drama? on September 19, following previous legal victories in defamation and copyright cases.