Fox's first appearance – CNN turned over a set of internal documents Thursday night to the legal team representing U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young in a high-stakes defamation lawsuit against the news organization, FOX News Digital has learned.
Young slandered his security consulting firm, Nemex Enterprises, by implying that the company made illegal profits when it helped people leave Afghanistan during the Biden administration's 2021 military withdrawal from Afghanistan. CNN claims. Young believes CNN “destroyed his reputation and business by branding him a fraud.” The illegal profiteers who exploited desperate Afghans on CNN's “The Lead with Jake Tapper” segment on November 11, 2021.
The document was drafted by Judge William Henry and Mr. Young's lead attorney, Bell Friedman, who required him to hand over confidential financial information presented by the cable network to its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, in order to determine CNN's net worth. This was done based on an agreement.
CNN's legal team submitted a series of documents that the plaintiffs' legal team said were relevant to determining whether the company was solvent by a midnight Thursday deadline, according to people close to the case.
Friedman acknowledged receiving the document but declined further comment when contacted by Fox News Digital.
CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Defamation lawsuit against CNN could expose company's financial secrets as court aims to expose net worth
CNN host Jake Tapper and correspondent Alex Marquardt in the segment at the center of the defamation lawsuit. (CNN/Screenshot)
The CNN section at the center of the lawsuit was shared on social media and repackaged for CNN's website, in which Tapper reported that CNN correspondent Alex Marquardt was reporting that “Afghans trying to leave the country It began by telling viewers that they had discovered that they were facing a black market full of promises. , they charge exorbitant fees and there are no guarantees of safety or success. ”
Mr. Tapper addressed Mr. Marquardt, who said “desperate Afghans are being exploited” and must pay “exorbitant and often impossible amounts” to flee the country. Mr. Marquardt then named Mr. Young, showed his mugshot on a screen, and demanded $75,000 for his company to transport a passenger-filled vehicle to Pakistan, eventually ending up in an Arab Emirate. He said he was demanding $14,500 per person until they arrived in the Commonwealth.
“The price is out of reach for most Afghans,” Marquardt told viewers.
“We got Mr. Young's phone number and called him, but he didn't answer. He told CNN in a text message, “Afghans who want to leave the country have their sponsors pay for it.'' If someone contacts them, we need to understand whether they contacted them or not.'' We have sponsors so that we can pay the estimated evacuation costs,” Marquardt continued. “Mr. Young repeatedly declined to provide a breakdown of costs or whether he was making a profit.”
No other person or company other than Young was named.
“In another message, Zachary Young, who is proposing evacuation, wrote that “availability is very limited and demand is high…'' He continued, “Unfortunately… , that's how economics works,'' Marquardt told viewers.
Mr. Tapper responded, “Unfortunately, hmmm,” then thanked Mr. Marquardt for his report.
CNN faces defamation lawsuit over Afghanistan withdrawal story: 'evidence of actual malice'
Jake Tapper is at the center of a defamation lawsuit against CNN. (CNN/Screenshot)
Young claimed CNN used the words “black market,” “exploitation” and “outrageous” to paint him as a villain preying on desperate people.
Earlier this year, judges from Florida's First District Court of Appeals ruled on June 12 that Young had presented enough evidence to proceed with the defamation suit.
“The youth provided sufficient evidence of actual malice, manifest malice, and outrageous levels of conduct sufficient to pave the way for seeking punitive damages,” court documents state. . “Whether or not Young can ultimately win is not the question before us.”
The judges wrote: “Mr. Young provided CNN messages and emails that showed internal concerns about the integrity and veracity of the reporting. The articles were 'confused,' 'incomplete,' and 'made for digital use.' Although he said the article was “80% consistent” with “emotions, 20% hidden facts” and “full of holes like Swiss cheese”, the network still It was broadcast.
A photo of plaintiff Zachary Young was aired by CNN during the segment in question. (CNN/Screenshot)
“Mr. Young also said that in a message exchange with Mr. Marquardt hours before publication, he advised him that there were factual inaccuracies in the report. CNN published it anyway,” the judges wrote, as well as others. It added that internal communications show CNN staff gave Young “little consideration.” and used profanity and derogatory language when discussing him privately.
“Marquardt called him a 'son of a bitch' and quipped, 'It's your funeral, you idiot,'” according to court documents.
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“On appeal, CNN argued that it had no intent to cause harm, that its language was vaguely opinionated, and that its internal communications were journalistic bravado that reflected a sincere belief in reporting,” the judges wrote. Ta.
The civil trial is scheduled to begin on January 6, 2025, before Judge Henry in Bay County, Florida Circuit Court.
