Cardi B's Courtroom Victories: The $24 Million Lawsuit She Won And Her New Legal Battle

The question "Why is Cardi B on trial?" has dominated headlines for years, but as of late 2024 and early 2025, the narrative has shifted dramatically. The truth is, the Grammy-winning rapper has recently emerged victorious from two of her most high-profile and costly legal battles, securing massive wins against both a former security guard and a celebrity gossip blogger. These courtroom triumphs have cemented her reputation not just as a music powerhouse, but also as a fierce defender of her brand and personal life.

While the recent civil assault and defamation cases are now closed, the legal drama continues, as a new copyright infringement lawsuit has emerged over one of her hit songs. This article breaks down the complex legal history, revealing the full details of the trials Cardi B won and the new challenges she currently faces in the U.S. District Court.

Cardi B's Full Biography and Profile

Born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, Cardi B’s journey from reality television personality to global superstar is one of the most compelling stories in modern music. Her legal name often appears in court documents, but the world knows her as the unapologetic, chart-topping artist.

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• Full Name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar (formerly Cephus)
• Stage Name: Cardi B
• Date of Birth: October 11, 1992
• Age: 33 (as of December 2025)
• Birthplace: The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: Trinidadian and Dominican
• Spouse: Offset (Kiari Kendrell Cephus)
• Children: 2
• Occupation: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Television Personality
• Breakthrough: Love & Hip Hop: New York (2015–2017)

The $24 Million Civil Assault Trial: The Emani Ellis Allegations and Victory

One of the central reasons for the "Cardi B on trial" searches was a $24 million civil lawsuit filed by a former security guard named Emani Ellis. This case stemmed from an alleged altercation that took place in 2018.

What Were the Allegations in the Civil Lawsuit?

The civil lawsuit was brought against Cardi B by Emani Ellis, who was working as a security guard at a Beverly Hills medical building at the time of the incident. Ellis alleged that the rapper had physically assaulted her during a heated encounter. The claims in the lawsuit included:

• Assault
• Battery
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
• False Imprisonment

Ellis claimed that the incident, which occurred after she allegedly refused to let the rapper into an office, caused her significant emotional and physical harm, leading to the massive $24 million claim.

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The Verdict: Cardi B is Found Not Liable

The civil trial, which took place in Los Angeles County, concluded with a decisive victory for Cardi B. After only about an hour of deliberation, the jury found the rapper not liable for any of the claims made by Emani Ellis.

Cardi B, whose legal name Belcalis Almánzar was used throughout the court proceedings, testified that she did not physically touch the security guard, though she admitted to cursing at her out of anger. The jury sided with the rapper, delivering an absolute victory in September, an outcome that was widely reported as a major legal win.

The Final Legal Move: Judge Denies New Trial Bid

In a final, crucial update that keeps this legal saga current, a Los Angeles County judge rejected Emani Ellis’s motion for a new trial in late 2024. This decision officially upholds the unanimous verdict that found Cardi B did not physically assault the security guard, putting a definitive end to the years-long civil assault case and the security guard’s bid for a retrial.

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The Defamation Battle: Why Tasha K Owes Cardi B Millions

Another major legal issue that fueled the "Cardi B on trial" curiosity was the protracted defamation lawsuit against celebrity gossip blogger Latasha Kebe, known online as Tasha K.

The Details of the Defamation Suit

The lawsuit began after Tasha K published numerous videos making false and derogatory claims about the rapper, including allegations of infidelity, drug use, and sexually transmitted diseases. Cardi B filed the suit to protect her reputation and brand, arguing that the false statements caused her immense distress and financial damage.

In 2022, Cardi B won the lawsuit, securing a massive $3.9 million judgment against Tasha K. The judgment covered general damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.

The Latest Update: The Chapter 11 Reorganization Payment Plan

While the trial concluded years ago, the process of collecting the multi-million dollar judgment has been a major ongoing legal story. In a very recent development, Tasha K, who filed for bankruptcy, and Cardi B (Belcalis Almánzar) have agreed to a structured payment plan.

Under a Chapter 11 reorganization plan, Tasha K will pay the judgment through a five-year payment schedule. The plan outlines that the payments will be made directly to the rapper from Tasha K's income, with the amounts increasing over the five-year period. Initial monthly installments start high, and the total payout over the five years is set to be approximately $1.2 million, with the remaining $2.7 million still on the hook.

This agreement, signed off by a bankruptcy judge, ensures that the rapper will receive compensation from the defamation suit, finally bringing the financial chapter of this legal saga to a close.

A New Legal Front: The Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

Although the two most famous trials are over, Cardi B is now facing a new legal challenge that could be the source of any current "on trial" rumors: a copyright infringement lawsuit over her song "Enough (Miami)."

The "Enough (Miami)" Controversy

The new lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, alleges that Cardi B’s hit single "Enough (Miami)" contains an unauthorized sample. The plaintiffs, a group identified as Kemika1956, claim that the song infringes on their intellectual property rights.

Cardi B, along with her record labels, Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group, are named as defendants. They are opposing the plaintiffs’ request to ban the song, arguing that the case is without merit. This type of legal battle, centered on intellectual property, is common in the music industry but represents a new front in the rapper's extensive legal history.

Conclusion: The Legal Legacy of Belcalis Almánzar

The persistent question of "why is Cardi B on trial" is best answered by looking at her history of successfully defending herself against what her legal team calls "frivolous lawsuits." The rapper, Belcalis Almánzar, has demonstrated a fierce commitment to protecting her name and brand, securing major wins in two highly publicized cases against Emani Ellis and Tasha K.

While the civil assault and defamation suits are now closed—with the recent denial of a new trial and the establishment of a Chapter 11 reorganization payment plan—the new copyright infringement case over "Enough (Miami)" ensures that the star's legal journey is far from over. However, her track record suggests she is prepared to fight every legal battle to its conclusion.