Judge Fines Attorney in Cardi B Assault Case Over Banned Gang Question

A Los Angeles County judge has fined the lawyer for a former security guard who sued Cardi B after he violated a court order during the trial.

Court records cited by Rolling Stone show that Judge Ian C. Fusselman ruled on Wednesday, Jan. 28, that attorney Ron A. Rosen Janfaza improperly asked Cardi B about possible gang affiliations while questioning her on the witness stand. The judge ordered Janfaza to pay a $1,500 fine.

Before the trial began in August 2025, Judge Fusselman had clearly instructed lawyers not to ask Cardi B—whose real name is Belcalis Almánzar—about past issues unrelated to the case. This included questions about exotic dancing or any alleged gang connections from her youth. The judge said such topics could confuse the jury and unfairly prejudice them against the rapper.

Despite that order, Janfaza asked Cardi B early in the trial, “Do you have any affiliation at this time with a gang?” Her attorneys immediately objected, and the judge warned Janfaza that the question violated his ruling.

In his written decision, Judge Fusselman said Janfaza’s explanations did not hold up. Janfaza argued that an office manager helped draft the question, that he was sleep-deprived, and that the words “at this time” made the question relevant. The judge rejected all of those claims, writing that the violation was “knowing and intentional” and meant to get around the spirit of the court’s order.

Janfaza must pay the fine by Feb. 27 and report the sanctions to the California State Bar within 30 days.

The ruling comes four months after a jury found Cardi B not liable for assault and battery in the lawsuit filed by Emani Ellis. Ellis claimed that Cardi B scratched her with an acrylic fingernail and spat on her during a confrontation outside a Beverly Hills medical office in February 2018.

Cardi B has consistently denied assaulting Ellis. She admitted the two had a verbal argument, but said she was upset because Ellis was allegedly recording her without permission as she arrived for an OB-GYN appointment while pregnant.

At trial, Ellis claimed the rapper cut her face, spat on her, and shouted profanities and racial slurs. Cardi B denied those allegations and told the court she was worried for her safety at the time. When asked why she was concerned, she replied bluntly, “Because I’m pregnant!”

Several moments from the trial went viral, including Cardi B’s animated reactions to Janfaza’s questions. In one exchange, the lawyer appeared confused by the rapper wearing different wigs on consecutive days, prompting Cardi B to laugh and explain that they were wigs.

After the jury delivered its verdict on Sept. 2, 2025, Cardi B spoke to reporters outside the courthouse. She said she never touched Ellis and warned that she would countersue anyone who brings what she called a “frivolous lawsuit” against her in the future.