Cardi B pleads guilty to two assault charges and avoids jail time
Cardi B has pleaded guilty to two charges stemming from her involvement in two physical altercations at a strip club in New York four years ago.
In 2018, Cardi was first charged with misdemeanour assault and reckless endangerment in 2018, after two female bartenders at the Angels club in Queens alleged the rapper had orchestrated and participated in assaults that happened at the club. According to the claims, Cardi had ordered her associates to attack the women with bottles and chairs.
The musician pleaded to both charges as part of a deal on Thursday (September 15th), avoiding a criminal trial and potential jail time. The rapper has instead been sentenced to 15 days of community service and has agreed to abide by three-year protection orders for the two victims.
“Part of growing up and maturing is being accountable for your actions,” Cardi said in a statement. “As a mother, it’s a practice that I am trying to instil in my children, but the example starts with me. I’ve made some bad decisions in my past that I am not afraid to face and own up to.”
She continued: “These moments don’t define me and they are not reflective of who I am now. I’m looking forward to moving past this situation with my family and friends and getting back to the things I love the most – the music and my fans.”
Cardi confirmed details of the two incidents as part of her plea deal, as reported by the New York Times. Prosecutors said that on two separate evenings in August 2018, the star and her entourage turned up to the club after 3am. The group attacked one of the victims on the first occasion, allegedly punching her, slamming her head into the bar and pulling her hair.
Prosecutors said the group then returned two weeks later and threw alcohol and bottles at the second victim, who is another bartender and also the sister of the woman who was attacked in the first incident.
In 2019 Cardi was indicted on a dozen charges relating to the incident, including two counts of felony assault. She pleaded not guilty to all charges. Aside from third-degree assault and second-degree reckless endangerment, all charges have been dismissed.
“No one is above the law,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “In pleading guilty today, Ms. Belcalis Almanzar (Cardi B) and two co-defendants have accepted responsibility for their actions. This Office is satisfied with the resolution, which includes appropriate community service.”
