The Shocking Truth About Emani Ellis: From Security Guard To $24M Lawsuit Against Cardi B

As of December 2025, the name Emani Ellis is back in the spotlight after a high-profile legal battle with Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B finally reached a definitive conclusion. Ellis, a former security guard, first made headlines in 2018 after an alleged altercation with the rapper, which culminated in a multi-million dollar civil lawsuit that captivated the entertainment world for years. The most recent and crucial update centers on the final court decision regarding her bid for a new trial. After losing the initial civil case in October 2025, Ellis filed a motion demanding a retrial, citing explosive claims of courtroom chaos and misconduct. However, on December 5, 2025, a Los Angeles County judge officially denied the motion, marking the end of the long-running legal saga and cementing the jury’s original verdict in favor of Cardi B.

Emani Ellis: A Brief Profile and Biography

Emani Ellis is primarily known for her role as the plaintiff in a highly publicized civil lawsuit against global music star Cardi B. While she has largely maintained a private life outside of the courtroom drama, public records and trial testimony have revealed key details about her background and career trajectory.

• Primary Role: Former Security Guard.
• Notoriety: Plaintiff in a high-stakes civil lawsuit against rapper Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar).
• Incident Date: February 2018.
• Incident Location: A medical office in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, where Cardi B was attending a prenatal appointment.
• Allegations: Ellis claimed Cardi B assaulted her, spat at her, and caused a scratch on her face.
• Damages Sought: Ellis sought a massive $24 million in damages from the rapper.
• Trial Date: The civil trial was held in Los Angeles in October 2025.
• Verdict: The jury ruled unanimously in favor of Cardi B, finding her not liable for Ellis's claims.
• Current Career: Following the 2018 incident and the loss of her security guard job, Ellis pivoted her career and now works as a social worker, dedicating her time to assisting low-income families.

The $24 Million Lawsuit Against Cardi B: A Timeline of Allegations

The core of Emani Ellis's public identity is intrinsically linked to the 2018 incident that sparked the civil lawsuit. The case was not just a simple dispute; it was a complex, drawn-out legal battle that sought a staggering $24 million in damages, which immediately amplified the public and media interest.

The 2018 Altercation and Initial Claims

The incident occurred in February 2018 at a Los Angeles medical building where Ellis was working as a security guard at the front desk. Cardi B, who was approximately four months pregnant with her first child at the time, was there for a prenatal check-up. The rapper was attempting to keep her pregnancy private, which became a central point of contention in the dispute.

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Ellis claimed that a verbal argument escalated into a physical confrontation. She alleged that Cardi B insulted her, spat on her, and physically assaulted her, resulting in a scratch on her cheek that she later claimed required plastic surgery. The security guard’s legal team argued that the incident caused Ellis significant emotional distress and physical injury.

In contrast, Cardi B vehemently denied any physical assault. Her testimony and defense centered on the claim that Ellis was the aggressive party, attempting to record her while she was trying to maintain her privacy. The rapper admitted to a heated verbal exchange but asserted that she did not touch the security guard. Cardi B even presented a photo of her nails at the time to the jury, arguing that they were not long enough to inflict the kind of scratch Ellis claimed.

The October 2025 Civil Trial Verdict

After years of legal maneuvering, the civil case finally went to trial in Los Angeles in October 2025. The proceedings were highly publicized, featuring the rapper’s signature personality and courtroom fashion, which often overshadowed the legal arguments.

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The jury, after hearing days of testimony from both sides, deliberated for less than an hour. They ultimately sided with Cardi B, finding her not liable for the claims of assault and battery. The verdict was a major victory for the rapper, who subsequently released a statement warning fans about “frivolous lawsuits.”

Denied Retrial and the ‘Pen-Throwing’ Controversy

Emani Ellis was not prepared to accept the jury's decision. Shortly after the initial verdict, her legal team filed a motion for a new trial on October 31, 2025, throwing the legal battle back into the headlines.

Explosive Claims of Courtroom Misconduct

The motion for a retrial was packed with dramatic and explosive allegations. Ellis’s team claimed that the initial trial was mishandled and unfair. Among the most serious accusations were claims that Cardi B’s attorney had threatened and assaulted Ellis’s lawyer, that there were hidden witnesses, and that the judge had made errors that affected the outcome.

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Perhaps the most sensational claim was the alleged “pen-throwing” incident. Ellis argued that jurors were intimidated by the rapper after she supposedly threw a pen to the ground outside the courthouse. This incident was said to have occurred when a YouTuber, Donat Ricketts, questioned Cardi B about her then-looming pregnancy rumors.

The Final December 2025 Ruling

The fate of the retrial motion was decided on December 5, 2025. Los Angeles County Judge Ian Fusselman reviewed Ellis’s claims, including the dramatic pen-tossing allegation and the claims of intimidation and misconduct.

The judge ultimately found no grounds to overturn the earlier unanimous ruling. The motion for a new trial was denied, officially closing the book on the high-stakes lawsuit. This decision solidified Cardi B’s legal victory and brought the years-long litigation with Emani Ellis to a definitive conclusion.

From Security Guard to Social Worker: Emani Ellis's Life After the Incident

While the lawsuit defined Emani Ellis's public presence for years, her life took a significant turn following the 2018 incident. Losing her job as a security guard after the altercation, Ellis pursued a new, completely different career path.

Today, Emani Ellis works as a dedicated social worker. This transition highlights a significant shift in her professional focus, moving from a security role to one dedicated to community service and support. She is specifically noted for working with low-income families, a career that contrasts sharply with the glitz and drama of a celebrity courtroom battle.

Despite the final court ruling, Ellis has maintained her position regarding the altercation. Following the initial verdict, she expressed her belief that the performer’s actions should not be overlooked, regardless of the trial’s outcome. Her decision to pursue a career in social work suggests a dedication to helping others, even as she navigated one of the most stressful legal battles in recent celebrity history.

The Emani Ellis story is a powerful example of how a private individual can be thrust into the center of a major public narrative. Her name will forever be associated with the $24 million civil lawsuit against Cardi B, but her current work as a social worker also paints a picture of a life moving forward beyond the courtroom drama.