Cardi B found not liable in $24 million assault lawsuit filed by security guard Emani Ellis

Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, emerged victorious from court after a jury found her not liable in a $24 million civil lawsuit brought by security guard Emani Ellis. The case stemmed from a confrontation outside a gynecologist's office in 2018, where Ellis claimed Almánzar spat on her and scratched her nose. A 12-member jury of the Los Angeles Supreme Court deliberated for less than an hour before unanimously ruling in favor of the rapper. While testifying, Almánzar denied touching Ellis but admitted to verbally abusing her when she tried to film her with a phone. At the time, Cardi was pregnant with her first child, Kulture. "At that moment, when you're pregnant, you're very limited... I was pregnant. I couldn't protect myself even if I wanted to. She's twice my size," Almánzar said. Almánzar acknowledged that the two argued and stood chest to chest but refuted Ellis' claims of assault. Following the verdict, she told reporters, "I didn't touch this woman, I didn't lay my hands on this girl," and added that she would counter-sue if ever targeted by a "frivolous lawsuit" again. Almánzar also angrily threw a marker at a reporter outside the courthouse when questioned about rumors of a possible pregnancy. Cardi and rapper Offset, who now live separately, have three children together: Kulture (7), Wave (3), and Blossom (almost 1).