Cardi B, the renowned hip-hop star, has emerged victorious in a civil lawsuit filed against her by a Beverly Hills security guard, Emani Ellis. The case revolved around an incident that occurred on February 24, 2018, outside of an obstetrician’s office. After two days of testimony, which included moments of humor and emotional declarations from Cardi B, the jurors found her not liable on all counts, concluding their deliberations in less than an hour.
Emani Ellis sought a staggering $24 million in damages, accusing Cardi B of assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Ellis claimed that during a confrontation, Cardi B scratched her with a long fingernail, resulting in a visible facial scar. However, jurors sided with the rapper, leading to her exoneration.
Following the trial, Cardi B expressed her relief, stating, “I swear to God, I will say it on my deathbed, I did not touch that woman.” She further lamented having to miss her children’s first day of school due to the trial proceedings. In her testimony, Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, firmly denied any physical confrontation with Ellis, asserting that she never touched or spat at the security guard, who she suspected was recording her with a cellphone.
On the day of the incident, Cardi B was four months pregnant, attending a medical appointment. Ellis, who worked as a security guard at the Beverly Hills building, recounted her excitement upon seeing the celebrity, exclaiming, “Wow, it’s Cardi B.” According to her testimony, Cardi B confronted her, accusing her of sharing information about her presence at the doctor's office. Ellis alleged that the rapper used profane language, body-shamed her, and even threatened her job.
Ellis claimed that Cardi B spat on her, attempted to swing at her, and scratched her left cheek with a long fingernail. However, the jurors ultimately found Cardi B's account more credible, believing that Ellis had acted aggressively during the encounter.
During her testimony, Cardi B described the encounter, noting the physical difference between herself and Ellis, stating, “I’m thinking to myself, ‘Girl is big!’” She humorously remarked about her own physical condition, saying, “At that moment, when you’re pregnant, I’m very disabled,” which elicited laughter from the courtroom audience. Cardi B emphasized that she would not have instigated a confrontation with someone she perceived to be larger and more intimidating.
Key witnesses included Tierra Malcolm, a receptionist at Dr. David Finke’s office, who testified that she saw Ellis cornering Cardi B. Malcolm intervened, and during the scuffle, she sustained a cut on her forehead. Dr. Finke also corroborated that he witnessed Ellis causing injuries and that neither he nor Malcolm observed Cardi B striking Ellis.
During closing arguments, Ellis' attorney, Ron Rosen Janfaza, insisted that Cardi B should be held accountable for her actions, despite the lack of video evidence. He argued that the case hinged on the credibility of Ellis, whom he described as a "model citizen." In contrast, Cardi B's attorney, Peter Anderson, urged the jurors to apply common sense, stating that the evidence overwhelmingly supported Cardi B's claim that she never struck Ellis.
Anderson highlighted the inconsistencies in Ellis' account, noting that she did not file a police report or seek immediate medical attention after the encounter, which further undermined her claims of injury. He concluded by asserting that mere verbal conflict does not constitute grounds for a lawsuit.
In the end, the jury's quick decision in favor of Cardi B not only underscores the importance of evidence in legal proceedings but also highlights the complexities surrounding celebrity interactions. This case serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by public figures in their everyday lives and interactions.
