Cardi B pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to felony assault charges in an ongoing case that stems from an August strip club brawl.
Cardi was indicted by a grand jury in Queens Friday, and was ordered to appear before Judge Joseph Zayas Tuesday afternoon, a representative for the Queens district attorney’s office said.
The chart-topping artist from the Bronx entered court wearing a navy blue and pink pantsuit and was met by a fan who shouted, "Free Cardi B."
In front of the judge, Cardi pleaded, "not guilty, sir, honor."
Cardi and two others allegedly involved in the case were arraigned on a 12-count indictment charging all three with attempted assault, harassment and conspiracy, according to a statement from the Queens district attorney’s office.
Acting District Attorney Ryan said, “the defendants in this case are accused of two premeditated attacks on two women working at a club in Queens last summer. The victims allegedly had glass bottles hurled at them, alcoholic drinks thrown in their faces and one woman’s head was slammed into the bar. This kind of violence won’t be tolerated in our community. The defendants will be held accountable for their alleged actions.”
Court documents allege Cardi plotted the incident on social media by coordinating the date, time and location of the attack. It’s also alleged money transfer for the attack was discussed.
In October, Cardi was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment and one count of third-degree assault in relation to the alleged Aug. 29 attack.
Two bartenders at Angels NYC in Queens said they were attacked by Cardi B’s entourage. One of the bartenders was accused of having sex with Cardi’s husband, Offset. Cardi and Offset are the parents of 11-month-old Kulture.
During a concert in Los Angeles on Saturday, Cardi B reportedly told the crowd, "I ain’t going to jail, I got a daughter."
“We’re aware of no evidence that she caused anybody any harm at the club that night,” the rapper’s rep, Jeff Kern, told reporters in October. “We expect that the matter is going to be resolved expeditiously.”
After Cardi B failed to show up for a second court date two months later, a judge issued two orders of protection for the alleged victims.
Cardi was offered a plea deal in April by the Queens District Attorney’s Office, which she rejected. The deal offered her reduced charges and no jail time for a guilty plea to a class A misdemeanor. The case was presented to a grand jury following her rejection.
The rapper has also made recent headlines for winning songwriter of the year at the 34th annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, shortly before news of her indictment broke. The 26-year-old is the first female rapper to receive the honor, according to Billboard.
Currently, Cardi is set to star in the upcoming "Hustlers" film alongside Jennifer Lopez, which is filming in New York City. The movie tells the true story of a group of Manhattan strippers who pulled off a "Robin Hood"-style scam to steal from wealthy Wall Street clients in the wake of the financial crisis.
