A Los Angeles judge has fined the attorney for the plaintiff in Cardi B’s civil assault case after finding he violated a court order by asking the rapper about alleged gang affiliation during her 2025 trial testimony.
In a Jan. 28 ruling, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ian C. Fusselman ordered plaintiff’s lawyer Ron A. Rosen Janfaza to pay a $1,500 sanction and to self-report the penalty to the California State Bar by Feb. 27. The judge concluded that Janfaza’s question — “Do you have any affiliation at this time with a gang?” — was a knowing and intentional violation of pretrial evidentiary rulings.
The exchange occurred during Cardi B’s testimony on Aug. 26, 2025, and prompted an immediate objection from her legal team, which the judge sustained. Prior to trial, Fusselman had barred any references to alleged “prior bad acts,” including gang associations, aspects of Cardi B’s youth, past employment, or unrelated controversies, ruling that such material was irrelevant to the case and unfairly prejudicial.
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In his six-page order, Fusselman rejected Janfaza’s explanation that the question resulted from fatigue or an office error, writing that the attempt amounted to an effort to circumvent the court’s limits on questioning. The judge also dismissed arguments that the phrasing narrowly referred only to the present.
The sanction stems from a lawsuit filed by former security guard Emani Ellis, who accused Cardi B (legal name Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) of assault during a Feb. 24, 2018, encounter at a Beverly Hills obstetrician-gynecologist’s office. Cardi B, who was four months pregnant at the time, said she believed Ellis was secretly filming or photographing her, leading to a verbal confrontation. Ellis alleged that Cardi B scratched her, spit on her and used racial slurs, claims the rapper has consistently denied.
After a highly publicized trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court last summer, a jury deliberated for about an hour before unanimously finding Cardi B not liable on Sept. 2, 2025. No damages were awarded. Fusselman later denied Ellis’s request for a new trial.
The Jan. 28 ruling marks the latest post-trial development in the case, which drew widespread attention for its courtroom moments and viral clips of Cardi B’s testimony. The judge noted that the penalty is limited to the monetary fine and bar-notification requirement at this time.
Representatives for Cardi B did not immediately respond for comment. Janfaza’s office could not be reached beyond statements made in court.
