BURSTA judge in Florida has cleared the way for a lawsuit brought by a Navy veteran against CNN to proceed, according to multiple reports.
The suit, brought by veteran Zachary Young, accuses the network of hurting his business by including him in a 2021 segment that aired on the network about contractors who the report alleged were profiteering off Afghan refugees trying to flee the country after U.S. forces pulled out of the area.
“Sufficient evidence exists upon which a reasonable jury could find with convincing clarity that Defendant acted with actual malice,” Florida Judge William S. Henry wrote in his ruling, The Los Angeles Times reported, citing court documents.
CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The judge's ruling clears the way for a Jury trial, which Florida court records show is scheduled to begin in January.