Six months after a jury unanimously sided with Cardi B and rejected a security guard’s assault claim, a judge ruled Thursday that the rapper can recover nearly $20,000 in trial costs.
Cardi B Recovers Trial Costs
The security guard, Emani Ellis, attempted to avoid paying the legal fees, arguing that Cardi B, born Belcalis Almánzar, waited too long to seek reimbursement and that the submitted bill was “a sham.” However, the judge who oversaw the trial determined the costs were both timely and “necessary” to the defense presented.
According to court records, the $19,690 covers expenses such as deposition costs, court reporter fees, and photocopies. Ellis’ lawyer, Ron A. Rosen Janfaza, stated, “My client doesn’t aim for me to submit, but we’re going to just let it be,” following a hearing Thursday morning.
Ellis and Janfaza initially contested the costs in a November filing, claiming Almánzar “proceeded in bad faith and should not be rewarded.” Almánzar’s legal team responded that they had followed proper procedures, labeling Ellis’ claims as “meritless if not patently frivolous.” The judge agreed with the defense.
A Series of Legal Victories
This ruling follows a September 2, 2025, jury verdict in favor of Cardi B in the civil trial, which required only an hour of deliberation. Los Angeles County Judge Ian C. Fusselman subsequently rejected Ellis’ request for a new trial in December. In January, Judge Fusselman fined Janfaza $1,500 for questioning Cardi B about alleged “gang affiliation” on the witness stand, a violation of a pretrial order.
Judge Fusselman had previously ruled that questions regarding alleged altercations with third parties and purported gang affiliation were “irrelevant and unduly prejudicial” to Ellis’s claim. Janfaza argued he was sleep-deprived when he violated the pretrial order, but the judge deemed the question a “knowing and intentional” violation.
The initial trial centered on a February 2018 dispute that began when Cardi B believed Ellis was filming her while she was pregnant and visiting an obstetrician. Jurors found Ellis failed to prove Cardi B assaulted her, with Cardi B testifying there was no physical contact, only a verbal confrontation. Two defense witnesses, including a doctor and a receptionist, supported her account, stating Ellis appeared to be the aggressor.
Following the verdict, Almánzar released “Courtroom Edition” CD covers for her album, Am I the Drama?, featuring moments from the trial. She also previously won a case in New York where a libel lawsuit against her and her sister, Hennessy, was dismissed, and another in California regarding the use of a man’s tattoo on a mixtape cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of the civil trial between Cardi B and Emani Ellis?
A jury found in favor of Cardi B, rejecting Emani Ellis’s claim of assault. The jury needed only one hour to reach a unanimous verdict.
How much money is Cardi B recovering from Emani Ellis?
Cardi B is recovering nearly $20,000 to cover trial costs, including deposition costs, court reporter fees, and photocopies.
What was the basis of Emani Ellis’s lawsuit against Cardi B?
Emani Ellis alleged that Cardi B assaulted her during a February 2018 dispute outside a Beverly Hills medical office, claiming the rapper scratched her face.
As Cardi B continues to navigate legal challenges, will these victories influence her future creative and professional endeavors?
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