Cardi B Rejects Plea Deal, Heads to Trial in Strip Club Bartender Brawl Assault Case: Reports
Cardi B appeared before a judge in her ongoing strip club misdemeanor assault case on Friday morning in New York City.
The rapper arrived at Queens Criminal Court dressed all in white, surrounded by security carrying umbrellas to protect her from the rain. Cardi, sporting a lip piercing, remained silent as she made her way through the crowd gathered outside.
During the brief court appearance, the 26-year-old MC reportedly rejected a plea deal, according to multiple outlets, including CBS New York. The Blast and ABC 7 report the deal would have called for Cardi to plead guilty to misdemeanor assault in the third degree. After conditions were met, the outlets report the case would have been dismissed and the rapper would not serve any jail time. Instead, The Blast reports, the case will now be going to trial.
Her next court date has been set for May 31st. Cardi’s attorney Jeff Kern did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
JUST IN - @iamcardib arrives at court in #Queens. pic.twitter.com/aoVDuNpApI
— News12BK (@News12BK) April 19, 2019
COURT FLOW @csiriano X Birkinpussy
A post shared by CARDIVENOM (@iamcardib) on Apr 19, 2019 at 9:09am PDT
The alleged assault occurred last August, when bartenders Baddie Gi and Jade of Angel’s Strip Club claimed that Cardi ordered an attack on the women because she believed her husband Offset had had an affair with one of them, according to the New York Times and TMZ.
A police spokesperson told CNN that Cardi was allegedly “throwing chairs, bottles and hookahs in the club at 3 a.m.” NBC New York reported Cardi was caught on camera tossing an ice bucket at the women.
In October, Cardi surrendered to police and was subsequently arrested, fingerprinted, had a mugshot taken and was charged with one count of assault and two counts of reckless endangerment, PEOPLE confirmed at the time.
“We’re aware of no evidence that she caused anybody any harm on that night,” the rapper’s lawyer Kern told press outside the police station. “We expect that the matter is going to be resolved expeditiously.”
RELATED: Cardi B Turns Herself in to Police, Arrested and Charged for Alleged Attack on Bartenders
Joe Tacopina, an attorney for the alleged victims, begged to differ.
“Cardi B ordered and committed violent assaults against my clients, and is being called to justice for her crimes,” he told PEOPLE in a statement. “Apparently, she thinks her celebrity status puts her above the law, since she has bragged to multiple people and on social media that she orchestrated these vicious attacks.”
Months later on Dec. 7 — the same morning the “Money” rapper received five Grammy nominations — Cardi appeared in court on assault and reckless endangerment charges after a summons was issued for her connection with the attack.
The hearing proceeded quickly, with the judge issuing orders of protection for the alleged victims, according to the Associated Press. TMZ reports the rapper was warned to have no contact with either Baddie Gi or Jade, including comments or threats on social media, and was released without bail. The protective order was extended on Jan. 31, according to NBC.
