A California jury found Cardi B not liable of battery and assault after about an hour of deliberating.
Former security guard Emani Ellis alleged the rapper assaulted her at an OB-GYN office in 2018, leaving injuries that required plastic surgery and costing her job. A jury found no evidence of the claims Ellis brought forth in a lawsuit. The jury also didn’t find Cardi B liable for intentional infliction of emotional stress and negligence.
Emani Ellis had alleged that, in 2018, the Grammy-winning rapper cut her cheek with her fingernails and spat on her following a disagreement outside an obstetrician’s office. Cardi B took to the stand charged with allegations of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and false imprisonment. After the trial concluded on Tuesday Cardi spoke to reporters outside the Alhambra courthouse, thanking her lawyers and fans while once again stating that she never touched Ellis.
The jury heard how Cardi, pregnant with her first child at the time, attended a private obstetrician appointment when the alleged incident took place. The appointment had been held in private to protect Cardi’s privacy, with news of her pregnancy still a secret at the time. When she reached the medical facility she encountered Ellis who, according to Cardi’s testimony, appeared to be filming her arrival. What followed was described by the rapper as a “verbal fight.” Ellis alleged that she was scratched in a physical altercation and was left with an injury that required surgery. She was seeking damages including medical expenses and other costs.