Offset Says Alleged Assault Victim Begged To Be Beaten Up, Demands Case Against Cardi B Be Thrown Out
By Ryan Naumann on August 5, 2019 at 8:47 AM EDT
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Migos’ Offset is demanding to be let out of a lawsuit accusing him of orchestrating an assault with Cardi B, and accuses the man suing them of trying to shake him down for money.
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Offset (real name; Kiari Cephus) is pleading with a judge to throw out a default judgment that was entered against him.
Last year, an autograph seeker named Giovanni Arnold sued Cardi B and Offset over an alleged assault that went down outside a New York hotel in May 2018. He accused them of orchestrating his beatdown after he asked for Cardi’s autograph.
Arnold claimed that on May 5, following the Met Gala in New York, he was attacked by three of the couple’s bodyguards. He claims he ended up having to go to the hospital for his alleged face, neck, back and body injuries and sued seeking unspecified damages. Cardi has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and demanded the lawsuit be thrown out.
Last month, Offset was hit with a default judgment in the case after Arnold accused the rapper of blowing off the case, despite being served with the legal papers.
In newly filed court documents, Offset fires back at the claim he was served with the legal papers. He says he was not properly served and didn’t know about the default until his mom told him. Offset says in regard to the assault allegations, “Mr. Cephus had no physical contact with Plaintiff and did not intend to put Plaintiff in fear of physical harm. Mr. Cephus also did not order or instruct anyone to attack Plaintiff, or authorize any such attack. In fact, Mr. Cephus did not even witness the alleged attack.”
On the date in question, Offset says he does recall an individual approaching and yelling insults at his wife and him. He was following behind Cardi and noticed the man following them. He claims , “The man continued to yell taunts at Mr. Cephus such as “Please beat me up” and “I’ll take all your money.”
Offset says he believes the man was trying to “goad” him into beating him up so he could collect damages. He says he did not take the man’s bait and continued to walk.
He adds, “Several moments later, Mr. Cephus heard what sounded like a fight break out in the crowd of people standing on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. He did not see what happened as it was dark outside, he had already walked away, and there was a crowd of people standing in front of the hotel.”
Offset submitted a declaration from his driver who backs up his claim he was never properly served with the lawsuit.
The judge has yet to rule on Offset’s motion.