CNN Hit With $5 Million Defamation Verdict in Florida Court (2)

CNN defamed a former intelligence operative, falsely claiming that he exploited Afghan citizens looking to flee the war-torn country after the US withdrawal in 2021, a Florida jury found. The company then settled with the US Navy veteran Friday, before the jury could assign punitive damages.

Zachary Young is entitled to $4 million for lost earnings and $1 million for pain and suffering, a Bay County jury said. The company and Young’s counsel didn’t respond to requests for details about their deal.

A CNN segment portrayed Young’s work helping corporate clients extract workers from Afghanistan after the government collapsed—as “exploitation” ...