A Los Angeles judge ruled on December 5, 2025, denying security guard Emani Ellis a new trial in her failed assault lawsuit against Cardi B. The decision upholds a September jury verdict in favor of the rapper over a 2018 altercation at a doctor's office. The judge rejected claims that a pen-tossing incident outside the courthouse intimidated jurors.
Background of the Case
The lawsuit stemmed from an incident on February 24, 2018, at a Beverly Hills gynecologist's office where Cardi B, then four months pregnant with her first child, encountered Ellis, who was working as a security guard. Ellis sued in 2020, alleging assault, battery, infliction of emotional distress, and negligence. She claimed Cardi cursed, spat at her, and scratched her cheek with a sharp acrylic nail, requiring plastic surgery. Cardi denied any physical contact, testifying during an August 2025 trial that the confrontation was verbal only. She expressed concern over Ellis recording her, as she was concealing her pregnancy from the public, including her parents. Cardi described Ellis as the aggressor, backing her into a corner, and noted her nails were short and square, as shown in a photo from the NBA All-Star Game that week.
Trial and Verdict
At the trial, witnesses Dr. David Finke and receptionist Tierra Malcolm supported Cardi's account, stating they heard yelling and saw Ellis with a phone, appearing aggressive. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before unanimously ruling on September 2, 2025, that Ellis failed to prove her claims. Outside the courthouse, Cardi warned against frivolous lawsuits, saying, 'I work hard for my money for my kids and for people I take care of, so don’t you ever think that you gonna sue me, and I’m just gonna settle and just give you my money.'
New Trial Request Denied
Ellis sought a new trial, arguing the jury verdict didn't align with facts and that two witnesses were improperly disclosed late. She also claimed jurors were intimidated by Cardi throwing a pen at a reporter in a media scrum before the verdict. Video showed Cardi tossing the pen to the ground after a vlogger shouted questions about her rumored pregnancy with Stefon Diggs; she announced her pregnancy on September 17. Judge Ian C. Fusselman rejected these arguments on December 5, 2025, calling the intimidation claim 'unpersuasive' and speculative. He noted sufficient evidence supported the verdict and that jurors showed no external influence.
Pending Issues
The judge plans to address a defense request to sanction Ellis's attorney, Ron Rosen Janfaza, for alleged misconduct, including repeated unsubstantiated claims about Ellis's psychological treatment and questioning Cardi's gang affiliations. A decision could come as early as the following week.