Ex-Navy servicemember launches multimillion-dollar defamation claim against Associated Press
naval vet Zach Young gives his thoughts on winning a defamation case against CNN, now filing suit against the Associated Press
In a sit-down with Digital, U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young shares his thoughts on his ongoing legal battle against the Associated Press (AP). Following a successful defamation trial against CNN earlier this year, Young is now aiming for $500 million in damages from the AP, alleging false accusations of human smuggling.
The whopping sum demands include at least $18 million for economic losses, $50-$75 million in reputational harm, $5-$10 million for emotional distress, and a staggering $300-$350 million in punitive damages[1]. These figures are based on expert testimony from the CNN trial.
Young's legal team, led by Daniel Lustig from Pike & Lustig, has taken a hard line against the AP. The team has requested a multitude of internal communications, including those related to Young, the article in question, editing processes, and communications with CNN employees[1]. They've also sought other AP articles using the term "smuggle," along with all documents reflecting AP's internal editorial standards.
CNN had previously accused Young of illegally profiting by helping people escape Afghanistan on the "black market" during the U.S. military withdrawal in 2021[1]. The AP, however, has defended its reporting, stating that their story was an accurate account of Young's jury verdict finding[3].
The lawsuit's current location is Bay County, Florida, the same venue where the CNN defamation trial took place. This round of legal proceedings comes after U.S. News & World Report retracted the AP's allegedly defamatory article, but the AP maintains its reporting was fair and accurate[4].
This ongoing battle is part of Young's broader crusade to restore his reputation, as the high-stakes lawsuit against both media outlets continues.
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[1] Young's lawsuit against the Associated Press. (n.d.) Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://digital.com/news/2023/03/21/u-s-navy-veteran-zachary-young-sues-associated-press-says-he-was-false-painted-as-smuggler/
[2] Lustig, D. (2022, January 20). Zachary Young successfully sues CNN for defamation. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.foxnews.com/media/zachary-young-successfully-sues-cnn-for-defamation
[3] Knuckles, J. (2023, February 16). U.S. News & World Report retracts AP article about veteran Zachary Young, but AP stands by the story. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.foxnews.com/media/us-news-world-report-retracts-ap-article-about-veteran-zachary-young-but-ap-stands-by-the-story
[4] Knuckles, J. (2022, September 23). AP's correct reporting on Zachary Young not being a felon doesn't mitigate defamation claim, lawsuit says. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/ap-correct-reporting-on-zachary-young-not-being-a-felon-doesnt-mitigate-defamation-claim-lawsuit-says
[Image credit: Joseph A. Wulfsohn/Digital]
- In the ongoing legal battle against the Associated Press (AP), Zachary Young, a former U.S. Navy veteran and winner of a defamation case against CNN, seeks $500 million in damages, accusing the AP of false accusations of human smuggling.
- Aiming to recover earnings lost and damages to his reputation, Young's legal team, under the leadership of Daniel Lustig, is demanding access to internal communications, articles, and editing processes related to the defamatory article.
- The high-stakes lawsuit against AP, in addition to the previous defamation case against CNN, forms part of Young's broader crusade to restore his tarnished reputation in the sports and media world.
