Cardi B Narrows Dispute Over Bankrupt Blogger’s Defamation Debt

A YouTube blogger who owes Cardi B nearly $4 million stemming from a defamation judgment has tentatively agreed not to challenge most of the debt in bankruptcy.

Only about $500,000 of the WAP rapper’s nearly $4 million claim remains in dispute against celebrity and entertainment blogger Latasha Transrina Kebe, Cardi B attorney James C. Moon of Meland Budwick PA told the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida on Tuesday.

Cardi B on Monday filed papers asking the judge overseeing Kebe’s bankruptcy to find that most of the judgment isn’t dischargeable. Kebe “does not appear to dispute” that she can’t discharge the debt, according to the filing.

If the court approves Cardi B’s motion, Kebe will remain on the hook for roughly $3.4 million. The Grammy-winning rapper, whose legal name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, says she’s owed the money from damages, expenses and interest.

Kebe attorney Julia Osmolia of Van Horn Law Group PA told the court Tuesday that the only issue for a trial would be whether $500,000 in punitive damages Cardi B won against Kebe Studios LLC would be owed by Kebe personally.

Cardi B sued the YouTube blogger in the Florida bankruptcy court in August, asking the the court to find that the defamation judgment she won against Kebe in a Georgia court can’t be discharged.

Cardi B won the judgment after a jury trial against Kebe and her company Kebe Studios in 2022 in the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. In addition to defamation, the court found Kebe liable for invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

On her “unWinewithTashaK” YouTube channel and other social media platforms, Kebe falsely accused Cardi B of having herpes and HPV and claimed the rapper was a prostitute, among other accusations, according to court filings.

The blogger filed for Subchapter V under Chapter 11 on May 25, after the rapper began garnishing her money, according to court records.

Kebe has told the Florida bankruptcy court she “clearly” doesn’t have the ability to pay the judgment in full.

While bankruptcy law generally allows for many types of debt to be forgiven, there is an exception for debts stemming from “willful and malicious injury,” which bankruptcy courts have sometimes interpreted to include defamation and similar claims.

Cardi B is represented by Meland Budwick PA.

Latasha Transrina Kebe is represented by Van Horn Law Group P.A.

The case is Almanzar v. Kebe, Bankr. S.D. Fla., No. 23-01153, hearing 10/3/23.