Photo: The Guardian
On Monday, Cardi B won her trial against a YouTuber who undertook a “malicious campaign” to damage the rapper’s reputation. A federal judge had issued a ruling that the vlogger had defamed the superstar. This earned Cardi B over $1 million for the harm it cost her.
The judge proclaimed a ruling that Latasha Kebe was legally responsible for the defamation and two more strains of misconduct for her YouTube videos and other internet posts after a two-week hearing that gathered attestations from both females.
The vlogger’s post claimed that Cardi B had fallen ill with herpes and many other unpleasant rumors.
Cardi B was granted $1.25 million in damages; however, the entire amount could still possibly accumulate. On Tuesday, litigation will continue to determine whether Kebe is still obligated to extra punitive damages or whether the YouTuber should recompense Cardi B for her legal expenses.
Attorneys from either side have declined to put forth comments.
In 2019, Cardi B, whose birth name is Belcalis Almánzar, charged Kebe for multiple videos that hold appalling claims about the superstar.
A single video cited in the proceedings contained a statement that Cardi B “f—ed herself with beer bottles on f—ing stripper stages.” Other claims include Cardi B falling ill from herpes, being a prostitute, committing infidelity, and doing hard drugs.
On January 10, a hearing started in Georgia federal court, in which the two women took the stand.
Cardi B stated that she felt “suicidal” following Kebe’s posts and added that “only an evil person could do that shit.” Kebe owned up to intentionally broadcasting false statements at first; however, she later attempted to retract that statement when scrutinized by her own lawyers.
The jury eventually took the side of Cardi B. On top of defamation, the judges also held Kebe legally responsible for the false light invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Kebe’s lawyers may challenge the ruling to the jury in the weeks to come. Her lawyers can appeal the verdict to a federal appeals court afterward, if he upholds it.
