Security guard’s lawsuit against Cardi B ends with not liable verdict
You might have heard the news. On September 2, 2025, a jury said Cardi B was not responsible in her old security guard’s civil lawsuit. There was a $24 million claim at risk. Many fans paid close attention. The verdict made big news, and you may be surprised by how fast people talked about it.
Case Overview
Background
Let’s go back to where it all started. You might remember that in February 2018, things got heated between Cardi B and her security guard, Emani Ellis. Here’s how it happened:
- Emani Ellis saw Cardi B entering a doctor’s office and started filming her.
- This led to a loud argument. Ellis said Cardi B scratched her face and spat on her.
- After this, Ellis decided to take legal action. She wanted money for her pain, lost wages, and emotional suffering.
At the time, Cardi B was pregnant, but she had not told the public yet. Ellis later said this incident hurt her dreams of working in law enforcement.
Allegations
Ellis made some serious claims against Cardi B. Here’s what she said happened:
- She scratched her face with a fake fingernail.
- She spat on her during the fight.
- The scratch left a scar, and Ellis needed cosmetic surgery.
- She felt humiliated and traumatized by the whole thing.
- Ellis asked for money to cover medical bills, lost wages, and emotional pain.
She wanted $24 million in damages. That’s a huge amount for anyone.
Timeline
You might find it helpful to see the key dates in this case:
| Date | Event Description |
|---|---|
| February 24, 2018 | Incident happened at a Beverly Hills OB-GYN office between Cardi B and Emani Ellis. |
| 2020 | Ellis filed a civil lawsuit against Cardi B. |
| August 25, 2025 | The trial started in Los Angeles Superior Court. |
| September 2, 2025 | The jury decided Cardi B was not liable. |
Cardi B Verdict
Trial Highlights
You might wonder what happened in court. The trial had some exciting moments. Many experts and witnesses spoke to the jury. Here are some important parts:
- Nichole McKenzie is a psychologist. She talked about Ellis’s claims and her injury.
- Brent Moelleken is a plastic surgeon. He said Ellis’s scar looked like a fingernail scratch.
- David Finke is a gynecologist. He told the jury he did not see Cardi B spit on Ellis. He said the fight was just loud yelling.
- Tierra Malcolm worked at the doctor’s office. She thought Ellis was the one who started the problem.
- James Rosenberg is a psychiatrist. He said Ellis did not show big signs of emotional injury.
- Ellis’s mom and grandma talked about how Ellis changed after the fight.
Both sides shared their stories. Some people agreed with Ellis. Others said Cardi B did not act violently. The courtroom felt tense sometimes. Lawyers asked hard questions.
Jury Decision
The jury had a tough job. They listened to everyone and looked at the evidence. The jury made their choice very fast. Here is what the court wrote down:
| Jury Composition | Verdict | Time Taken |
|---|---|---|
| 12-person jury | Unanimous decision in favor of Cardi B | 1 hour |
The jury said Cardi B was not responsible for the assault. They said there was not enough proof that she hurt Ellis. The jury made their choice after hearing all the stories. They looked at facts, like no video proof and different witness stories. This happens a lot in celebrity cases. Juries want clear proof before blaming someone famous.
Note: The jury’s quick choice showed they did not think Ellis’s claims were strong. Many people in the courtroom were surprised by how fast the jury decided.
Legal Team Arguments
You might ask what each side said. Cardi B’s lawyers said she did not hit Ellis. They said Ellis did not call the police or get help right away. They also said Ellis had no clear injuries after the fight. The defense said Cardi B was trapped and provoked. They said the fight was mostly yelling.
Ellis’s lawyers tried to show the fight ruined her dream job. They talked about her emotional pain. They said Cardi B’s bad words in court showed disrespect. Ellis’s team wanted the jury to see her as a victim who lost her future.
Both sides argued a lot. In the end, the jury believed Cardi B’s story. They did not think Ellis’s proof was strong enough. The verdict was like other celebrity cases. Juries want clear proof before making someone pay a lot of money.
Reactions
Cardi B Response
You probably expected a big reaction from Cardi B after the verdict. She did not hold back. Here’s what she said:
- “The next person who tries to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I’m going to counter-sue, and I’m gonna make you pay, because this is not OK.”
- “I am not that celeb that you sue, and you think is going to settle. I’m not gonna settle. Especially when I’m super completely innocent.”
- “I will say it on my deathbed. I did not touch that woman. I did not touch that girl. I didn’t lay my hands on that girl.”
You can see that Cardi B felt relieved and proud. She wanted everyone to know she stood her ground and would not give in to false claims.
Plaintiff Reaction
Emani Ellis looked disappointed after the verdict. Her legal team said they respected the jury’s decision, but they still believed in her story. Ellis did not speak much to the press. Her lawyers said the trial was tough for her. They mentioned that she felt let down by the result. You might notice that Ellis’s team did not say if they would appeal right away.
Next Steps
Many people online talked about the case. Some fans cheered for Cardi B, while others felt bad for Ellis. News outlets reported that the jury made a quick and clear decision. Reporters said Cardi B’s win was decisive. They also pointed out that she stayed firm about her innocence. Right now, Ellis has not said if she will appeal. You might see more updates if she decides to take further action. For now, Cardi B says she will fight back against any future lawsuits she thinks are unfair.
You watched Cardi B celebrate after she won the case.
- Many fans said nice things about her online.
- People thought better of her after the jury’s choice.
- She thanked her fans and looked proud.
This case shows juries want clear proof. In the future, people suing celebrities will need more evidence to win.
FAQ
What does “not liable” mean in this case?
You might wonder about this. “Not liable” means Cardi B does not have to pay Ellis. The jury did not find her responsible for the incident.
Can Ellis appeal the verdict?
You can expect Ellis to have the option to appeal. Her lawyers have not said if she will do it yet.
Did Cardi B settle out of court?
- No, you did not see a settlement.
- Cardi B said she would not settle because she believed she was innocent.
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