Cardi B shows up for court, warned to stay away from accusers in strip club brawl

USA TODAY
Cardi B's legal woes are not over yet. She was in court Friday on charges related to a strip club brawl and was warned to stay away from her accusers.

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NEW YORK — Cardi B's legal woes related to a strip club melee this summer are not over yet. She was released by a judge after a court appearance Friday but she was warned to stay away from her accusers.

The platinum-selling rapper, and holder of five 2019 Grammy nominations, showed up in court in Queens Friday, after missing an earlier court appearance this week.

Belcalis Almanzar (her real name), 25, faced multiple misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment and assault stemming from a brawl at a Queens strip club in August, which police say she instigated and members of her entourage carried out.

She was released without having to post bail but the judge issued orders of protection against her, meaning she was warned not to have any contact with the two female club employees injured in the melee, including no threats or comments on social media.

Her lawyer has said she didn't harm anybody.

She was supposed to be appear in court on Monday after a summons was issued on Oct. 1 but she failed to turn up. The judge threatened to issue a warrant for her arrest if she didn't show up by Friday.

Her next court date is set for January, according to the Queens District Attorney's office.

More: List of 2019 Grammy Awards nominations

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Police say Cardi B and her entourage were at the Angels Gentlemen's Club when she argued with a 23-year-old bartender at about 3.30 a.m. on Aug. 29. A member of Cardi B's entourage then threw a drink at the bartender, temporarily blinding her and causing her eyes to burn and itch.

The police report says a fight broke out during which chairs, bottles and hookah water pipes were thrown, slightly injuring the bartender and another female employee.

Cardi B's "Invasion of Privacy" is among the nominees announced Friday for the 2019 Grammy Awards' album of the year. She scored a total of five nominations.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cardi B shows up for court, warned to stay away from accusers in strip club brawl