A California jury has cleared Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B of all liability in a highly publicized civil assault lawsuit filed by former security guard Emani Ellis. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday, 3rd September 2025 at the Los Angeles Superior Court in Alhambra, came after a trial that had gripped both the legal world and the entertainment industry. The case centered on a February 2018 incident outside a Beverly Hills medical office, where Ellis had been working security at an obstetrician’s clinic.
Ellis accused Cardi B of attacking her during the confrontation, claiming that the rapper scratched her cheek with long fingernails, spat on her, and hurled racial slurs. According to Ellis, the alleged injuries forced her to undergo plastic surgery and ultimately cost her job. She filed suit seeking up to $24 million in damages, citing assault, battery, emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment. Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almánzar, consistently denied the allegations, insisting the altercation never turned physical.
After several days of testimony, which included vivid exchanges from Cardi B on the witness stand, the jury took less than an hour to deliberate before delivering a unanimous verdict. The panel ruled that Cardi B was not liable on all counts. Jurors rejected every allegation made against the rapper, siding instead with testimony from witnesses, including a receptionist and a doctor present at the medical office, who confirmed the incident was heated but never escalated into physical violence.
The ruling marks a decisive victory for Cardi B, who had faced years of legal uncertainty over the lawsuit. Emerging from the courthouse, the rapper expressed a mix of relief and defiance. “Even if I’m on my deathbed, I swear to God, I did not touch that woman,” she told reporters. “I didn’t lay my hands on that girl.” Cardi B described the lawsuit as frivolous and warned that she would not hesitate to countersue individuals who sought to exploit her fame for financial gain. At the same time, she urged her fans not to harass Ellis or her family, saying she wanted to move forward and leave the case behind her.
The trial itself became a media spectacle, not least because of Cardi B’s larger-than-life personality, which translated vividly in the courtroom. Her testimony was punctuated by sharp retorts and viral one-liners that quickly spread across social media. At one point, during a break in the proceedings, she threw a pen at a passerby who had asked an invasive question about pregnancy rumors, calling the comment disrespectful to women. The incident drew further headlines and underscored the intensity surrounding the trial.
Despite the verdict, the legal battle may not be entirely over. Ellis’s attorney announced plans to appeal, signaling the case could resurface in higher courts. For now, however, the jury’s swift rejection of the allegations stands as a major legal vindication for Cardi B.
The case also highlights a broader issue faced by high-profile celebrities: the balance between fame and vulnerability. Cardi B herself acknowledged this dynamic, noting that lawsuits and accusations often target public figures in hopes of extracting financial settlements. Her stance following the verdict reflected both a sense of justice served and a warning that she would aggressively defend herself against future claims.
The verdict’s speed, less than an hour of deliberation reinforced the jury’s certainty in its decision. Legal analysts noted that such quick turnarounds typically suggest the plaintiff’s case was unconvincing, and in this instance, the lack of corroborating evidence for Ellis’s claims appeared decisive. Witness testimony contradicted Ellis’s narrative, leaving the jury little reason to side with her.
For Cardi B, who rose from social media fame to Grammy-winning superstardom, the acquittal represents more than just legal relief. It allows her to shift focus back to music, family, and upcoming projects without the shadow of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit. Fans celebrated the verdict across platforms, trending hashtags of support and sharing clips of her fiery courtroom exchanges.
In summary, the case unfolded over seven years, from the alleged altercation in February 2018 to the resounding acquittal in September 2025. Ellis’s allegations of physical assault, emotional distress, and negligence collapsed under scrutiny, and Cardi B emerged vindicated. While an appeal may still lie ahead, the rapper’s message was clear: she is moving on, unapologetic and determined not to be an easy legal target.
