CNN Must Open Up Its Books in Defamation Lawsuit Over Afghanistan Withdrawal Reporting, Judge Rules

(AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)

A judge ordered CNN to produce financial documents dating back to 2021 as part of an ongoing defamation lawsuit brought by U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young.

Young claims the network “destroyed his reputation” and accused his company Nemex Enterprises Inc. of profiting from desperate Afghans during the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Court documents obtained by Fox News Digital show that Judge William Henry ruled that documents from September 2021 onward must be disclosed, with certain exceptions for annual data. CNN will also be required to provide information on how the broadcast affected its market position, including any internal discussions.

CNN reportedly objected to the scope of the request from Young’s legal team, who argued that access to CNN’s financial records was essential to determine the network’s net worth and ability to pay damages.

In bringing the case, the plaintiff pointed to a segment aired on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper in November 2021 and argued that it portrayed him as an “illegal profiteer” exploiting people fleeing the war-torn country in a report by CNN correspondent Alex Marquardt.

Young argued that Marquardt alleged “desperate Afghans are being exploited,” with Young’s company charging $75,000 per vehicle to transport people to safety—a price “well beyond the reach of most Afghans.”

In a June decision Florida’s Court of Appeal said that Young could proceed with his case after citing evidence that CNN was aware of “factual inaccuracies” before airing the segment.

The civil trial is scheduled for January 2025.