Cardi B went to court because she was sued in a civil trial by a former security guard, Emani Ellis, who accused her of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment. The alleged incident happened in 2018 at a Beverly Hills obstetrician's office corridor, where Ellis claimed Cardi B scratched her face with long fingernails, spat on her, and hurled racial slurs. Cardi B denied the allegations, stating the security guard was larger than her and that she did not physically touch Ellis, only having a verbal altercation as she felt threatened during her pregnancy. The case drew widespread attention due to Cardi B's candid and expressive testimony. In September 2025, a jury cleared Cardi B of all the assault allegations, concluding that the former security guard failed to prove her claims.