Cardi B's Legal Battles: The $24 Million Civil Assault Verdict And Tasha K's $1.2M Payout Agreement In 2025
The Life and Times of Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar: A Biography
Before becoming a global superstar and navigating complex legal terrain, Cardi B was born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar on October 11, 1992, in the Bronx, New York City. Her parents are of Dominican and Trinidadian descent, a heritage she proudly embraces and often references in her work.
- Full Name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar (formerly Cephus)
- Date of Birth: October 11, 1992
- Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York, U.S.
- Occupation: Rapper, Songwriter, Actress, Businesswoman, Television Personality
- Spouse: Offset (Kiari Kendrell Cephus)
- Notable Achievements: Grammy Award winner, multiple *Billboard* Hot 100 number-one singles ("Bodak Yellow," "I Like It," "WAP"), former star of the reality TV series *Love & Hip Hop: New York*.
- Early Career: Cardi B initially gained public attention as a stripper and later became a social media personality before transitioning to reality television and eventually music.
Her rapid ascent from reality TV star to one of the most successful female rappers in history has been defined by her unfiltered personality, business acumen, and willingness to tackle controversial subjects. This high-profile status, however, has inevitably drawn her into the spotlight for legal challenges, which she has consistently met head-on.
The $24 Million Civil Assault Lawsuit: A 2025 Verdict
One of the most intense and recent legal battles for Cardi B concluded in late 2025 with a resounding victory. The case centered on a civil assault and battery lawsuit filed by a former security guard, Emani Ellis, which sought a staggering $24 million in damages.
The Allegations and the 2018 Incident
The lawsuit stemmed from an incident that occurred in 2018 at a Beverly Hills obstetrician’s office. Emani Ellis, who was working security at the time, alleged that Cardi B physically and verbally assaulted her during a heated confrontation. The specific claims against the rapper included allegations of striking the security guard on the face and body, spitting on her, and using racial slurs during the altercation. The incident took place while Cardi B was pregnant with her first child, Kulture Kiari Cephus.
Ellis’s legal team argued that the rapper’s actions constituted assault and battery, leading to emotional distress and physical harm, and demanded $24 million in compensation for the alleged damages.
The August 2025 Trial and Jury Verdict
The highly-anticipated civil trial finally commenced in August 2025 in a California courtroom. Over several days, both sides presented evidence and testimony, including two days of testimony from Cardi B herself. The rapper consistently denied the allegations, with her legal team asserting that Ellis was, in fact, the aggressor in the situation. They maintained that the claims were baseless and lacked credible evidence.
After a short deliberation, the Los Angeles jury unanimously sided with Cardi B. The verdict found the rapper not liable on all claims of assault and battery. This jury verdict was a massive legal win, effectively dismissing the $24 million lawsuit and clearing the rapper of any wrongdoing in the 2018 incident.
The Post-Verdict Challenge: Motion for a New Trial
The legal saga, however, did not immediately end with the verdict. Following the loss, Emani Ellis and her legal team filed a motion seeking a new trial, arguing that the original proceedings contained errors. As of late 2025, Cardi B’s attorneys have strongly opposed this request, asserting that there is no legal basis for overturning the unanimous jury’s decision. The rapper and her team are determined to maintain their victory and close the book on this civil matter permanently.
The Tasha K Defamation Battle: Finalizing the $1.2 Million Payout
While the civil assault case concluded in 2025, another multi-year legal saga—the defamation lawsuit against YouTuber Latasha Kebe, known as Tasha K—reached a major financial resolution in December 2025. This case is a landmark example of a celebrity successfully fighting back against online slander and misinformation.
The Original Defamatory Claims and Landmark Judgment
The lawsuit, initially filed in 2019, centered on a series of videos published by Tasha K that made several false and highly personal claims about Cardi B. The defamatory claims included baseless accusations regarding the rapper’s health, sexual history, and personal life. Cardi B sued for defamation, Invasion of Privacy, and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress.
In 2022, a federal jury found Tasha K liable on all counts. Cardi B was awarded a total judgment of approximately $3.8 million to $4 million in damages, including punitive damages and attorney’s fees. Despite the clear victory, the actual collection of the full amount proved challenging, especially after Tasha K filed for Subchapter V bankruptcy.
The $1.2 Million Bankruptcy Settlement Agreement
The most recent and significant development came in late 2025 when Cardi B and Tasha K reached a final agreement regarding the payment of the judgment. The settlement, which was part of Tasha K's bankruptcy proceedings, dictates that the YouTuber will pay Cardi B $1.2 million over a five-year payment plan.
This agreement ensures that Cardi B will receive a substantial, guaranteed amount of the total judgment, finally providing a financial conclusion to the lengthy legal battle. The deal also reportedly includes a stipulation that Tasha K will refrain from making any further derogatory, disparaging, or defamatory statements about the rapper, solidifying the legal and reputational victory for Cardi B. The resolution of this case sends a clear message about the consequences of spreading malicious falsehoods online, particularly in the realm of celebrity gossip and entertainment news.
Topical Authority and Legal Precedents
The combined outcome of these two major legal cases in 2025 significantly impacts Cardi B's public image and sets important legal precedents within the entertainment industry. The successful defense against the $24 million civil assault claim highlights the difficulty of proving civil battery allegations, especially years after the alleged incident, and shows the power of a strong legal defense team.
Meanwhile, the final payment agreement in the Tasha K case reinforces the legal consequences of online defamation. It demonstrates that winning a judgment is only half the battle; collecting damages, especially against individuals who file for bankruptcy, requires persistent legal strategy. The $1.2 million payment plan is a tangible victory, solidifying her reputation as an artist who will use the courts to protect her brand and personal life from unwarranted attacks and malicious gossip.
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