Cardi B has already been vindicated one time by a Los Angeles jury in her $24 million public figure defamation lawsuit. Emani Ellis, the security guard, had alleged the rapper assaulted her. This accusation originates from a raid that took place in 2018 at a Beverly Hills building that also happens to be home to Cardi B’s obstetrician’s office.
At the time of the incident, Cardi B, aka Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, was pregnant. She was very much attempting to control her narrative through privacy during her initial pregnancy with her husband, rapper Offset. In the written trial testimony, Cardi B described how Emani Ellis stalked her and recorded her on a cellphone. She testified that Ellis wouldn’t leave her alone and attempted to get near her, escalating the fight.
Emani Ellis asserted that the incident left her with permanent physical and emotional scars. The trial played out in Alhambra, California, where the two sides made their cases. The jury deliberated for almost a day before finding Cardi B not guilty on all counts. They held that she is not liable to pay any damages to Ellis.
After the verdict was read, a visibly happy Cardi B thanked her legal team, the jurors, and supporters gathered outside the courthouse. She wore a striking black outfit with white dots complemented by a red bow, a distinctive choice that drew attention during her remarks.
“I did not touch that girl. I didn’t lay my hands on that girl. I hope that this is something I leave behind.” – Cardi B
In her statements, Cardi B emphasized her innocence, saying, “I’m not even playing around. Even if I’m at my death bed, I swear to God, I will say it at my death bed — I did not touch that woman.”
The end of this trial marked the beginning of a new chapter for Cardi B. Now she should finally be able to put this legal battle behind her and move on. The case received massive media coverage and sparked conversations about privacy, celebrity engagement with fans, and more.
