Cardi B Camera Shy In Court, Slid In-&-Out Beaming

Cardi B. leaves Queens Criminal Court on Dec. 7, 2018. Eagle photo by Todd Maisel

By Christina Carrega

Queens Daily Eagle

Fresh off a video shoot in Miami, rapper Cardi B graced Queens Criminal Court on Friday to face charges stemming from a College Point bar fight.

The Bronx-born diva, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, was arraigned on assault, harassment and reckless endangerment charges for allegedly telling almost eight members of her team, including Tawana Jackson-Morel and Jeffrey Bush, to throw alcohol and glass bottles at two bartenders, according to the criminal complaint.

The bartenders, who are sisters, were accused by Almánzar of having sex with her now-estranged husband Offset. Almánzar announced on Instagram this week that the two are going through a divorce.

Jackson-Morel admitted to police that she “smacked a drink on her,” according to court documents.

Almánzar, 26, entered the Kew Gardens courthouse minutes before 9 a.m. in Christian Louboutin booties, a fur collared black wool coat and rainbow-colored hair under a tan fedora. The reality star wasn't thrilled about the media scrum waiting to memorialize her first touch in the criminal justice system.

“Why the cameras gotta be there?” Cardi said to her attorney Jeff Kern, who requested a second call for the case.

The “Drip” songstress skipped her scheduled arraignment on Monday and was chastised by Assistant District Attorney Ryan Nicolosi as the case was officially called around 9:30 a.m.

“The case was original scheduled on October 29 we put it over until December 3 everyone was here except for the Almánzar,” said Nicolosi.

Almánzar stared down Nicolosi as he said “she comes when its convenient for her.”

Cardi B. after a judge denied setting $2500 bail that a Queens prosecutor requested. Pool photo by Stephen Yang

Nicolosi requested an “inconsequential” bail amount of $2,500 that the judge denied. Almánzar stuck her tongue out — her signature facial expression — when the judge released on her own recognizance.

Queens Criminal Court Judge Scott Dunn gave Almánzar strict instructions about the orders of protections for the two Angels Strip Club bartenders.

Almánzar shook her head in agreement and exited the courthouse into a swarm of camera flashes.

The judge ordered her back in court on Jan. 31.

If convicted, she faces up to a years on Rikers Island.

Cardi B. leaving Queens Criminal Court. Eagle photo by Todd Maisel