Cardi B had a clear message for anyone planning to come after her in court following her assault trial victory.
Speaking to reporters right after the jury found her not liable on Tuesday (Sept. 2), Cardi first showed gratitude to everyone who supported her.
“I want to thank the jurors,” she said. “I want to thank the judge and I want to thank the respectful press—I really appreciate that.”
She then doubled down on her innocence while sending out a stern warning.
“I swear to God, I did not touch that woman,” Cardi said. “I didn’t lay my hands on that girl and with that being said, the next person that tried to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I’m going to countersue and make you pay. Because this is not OK.”
“I feel like people have this misinterpretation of celebrities, that if I ask for this, they’re going to settle,” Cardi said. “Don’t ever think I’m just going to give you my money that I work hard for. I don’t lay in bed all day, I work all day. I work for my kids who I take care of, so don’t ever think you’re just going to sue me and I’m just going to settle.”
After just an hour of deliberation, the jury ruled that Cardi did not assault former security guard Emani Ellis.
Ellis had alleged that during a clash at a Beverly Hills OB-GYN office, Cardi scratched her face with a fingernail “about two or three inches long,” spat on her, and used a racial slur.
Cardi’s gynecologist, David Finke, who witnessed the incident’s aftermath, testified in her defense last week. He told the court he did not see Cardi spit, swing, hit, scratch, threaten, or insult Ellis.
When asked during cross-examination if he was siding with Cardi to secure more celebrity clients, Finke pushed back, saying his only concern was the truth.
“It’s very important for me to tell what happened that day and to ensure that anybody coming to my office, celebrity or not, doesn’t have that type of experience,” Finke said.
