Pop star Cardi B has been unanimously cleared of assault allegations in a US$24 million ($36 million) civil lawsuit filed by security guard Emani Ellis.
The verdict came after less than an hour of deliberation by a 12-member jury in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Ellis had accused the rapper of scratching her with a fingernail and spitting on her during an altercation outside a Beverly Hills obstetrician’s office in 2018.
At the time, Cardi B was pregnant with her first child, and she had not yet made it public.
On the stand, Cardi B firmly denied any physical contact. “I did not touch that woman, I did not lay my hands on that girl,” she told reporters following the verdict.
The rapper also pledged to “countersue” anyone who pursues a “frivolous lawsuit” against her in the future.
Cardi B praised the judge, jury, and court staff for their work, while fans celebrated outside the courthouse.
Clips of her testimony during the trial also went viral on social media.
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