On Friday, a Florida jury found CNN defamed the Navy veteran in a report on his business that aired in 2021, awarding him $5 million in damages.
The plaintiff, Zachary Young, had him appear on a 2021 segment about a contractor that reports suggested was profiteering from Afghan refugees fleeing the country after the Biden administration withdrew U.S. troops. He sued the agency for harming his business.
The ruling was handed down after more than eight hours of deliberation in a Bay County, Florida, court. During the multi-day trial, jurors were presented with a body of evidence, including a deposition from CNN's top anchor Jake Tapper and messages between Alex Marquardt and Young. before the segment is executed.
As part of the verdict, the jury awarded Young $4 million in business losses and $1 million in personal damages.
The jury is also expected to decide Friday afternoon on the estimated damages CNN must pay Young.
Media outlets have not commented.
