Cardi B Cleared in $24 Million Lawsuit: “I Did Not Touch That Woman”

Cardi B walked out of a Los Angeles courthouse this week with a major victory.

On September 2, a jury ruled the Grammy-winning rapper was not liable in a $24 million lawsuit brought against her by former security guard Emani Ellis. Emani had accused Cardi of assaulting her outside a Beverly Hills medical office back in February 2018. The jury found no proof to support claims that Cardi hit her, spit on her, cut her face or used racial slurs, clearing the 32-year-old musician of all allegations, including assault, battery, negligence and emotional distress.

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Cardi was firm. “I did not touch that woman,” she said. “With that being said, this time around, I’m gonna be nice. The next time someone tries to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I’m going to countersue. I’m going to make you pay, because this is not okay.”

She also pointed out how often celebrities are targeted in lawsuits. “I think people have this misinterpretation of celebrities, that like, ‘Oh well, we can ask for this and they’re going to settle.’ You don’t work at home, and you don’t work all day, and you don’t work for your money to give out your money. So don’t ever think I’m just gonna give you my money that I work hard for. I don’t lay in bed all day. I work all day, and I work hard for my money for my kids and for people I take care of.”

Cardi asked her fans not to harass Ellis or her family online, adding that she wanted to move on and “put this all behind.”

When the alleged incident happened, Cardi was four months pregnant with her first child and headed to an OB-GYN appointment. She admitted she got into a heated exchange with Ellis after she believed the security guard was recording her without permission in the hallway of a doctor’s office. But she denied any physical attack. “Because I’m pregnant!” she explained during the trial when asked why she was concerned in that moment. “And this girl’s about to f—— beat my ass! Hello?”

The trial itself sparked viral moments, thanks to Cardi’s animated testimony and blunt responses to Ellis’ attorney, Ron Rosen Janfaza. When asked whether their back-and-forth was a “verbal altercation,” Cardi shot back, “We’re having, I’ll say, a debate,” sending the courtroom into laughter.