The ex-security guard who filed a $24 million lawsuit against Cardi B, accusing her of assault, insists the case was “never about the money.”
“What she did to me was real, never about the money, but more importantly, it’s about accountability,” Emani Ellis told reporters on Tuesday (Sept. 2) after a jury cleared Cardi B, wrapping up the week-long trial.
In the lawsuit, Ellis claimed the Am I the Drama? rapper attacked her at a Los Angeles OB-GYN office where she worked as security. She alleged Cardi scratched her face with a “two or three-inch” nail, spat on her, and hurled racist and fatphobic insults.
“My position is the same,” Ellis said. “She assaulted and battered me, and I don’t want her to get away with it. I don’t want it to be overlooked.”
Ellis’ lawyer told the court she had dropped her original $24 million demand, instead seeking medical expenses and $250,000 in damages, per Variety.
Ellis also pointed to Cardi’s fiery response to a reporter who asked if she was pregnant with Offset’s child, when the rapper threw a pen and snapped, “That’s for disrespecting me,” before her bodyguard stepped in.
The trial delivered plenty of standout moments, including Cardi explaining wigs to Ellis’ lawyer, breaking down the meaning of “altercation,” and looking stunned when asked if Ellis was “bigger” than her.
After securing her win, Cardi B doubled down on her defense.
“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,” she said. “Because this is not OK.”
