A Florida jury on Friday found CNN guilty of defaming a U.S. Navy veteran in a 2021 report about people paid to rescue Afghans in the aftermath of the U.S. military withdrawal from the country.
The jury awarded Zachary Young $5 million in damages.
Young, a security consultant, said the story destroyed his business and reputation.
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The network may have to pay additional punitive damages.
Young blamed CNN for ruining his business by showing his face onscreen and framing the report as a “black market” charging desperate Afghans “exorbitant fees” to escape.
Jury finds CNN owes Young punitive damages.
— Joseph A. Wulfsohn (@JosephWulfsohn) January 17, 2025
Jury found Young is owed $4 million in financial damages and $1 million in emotional damages by CNN.
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