A Navy veteran sued CNN for defamation after a Jake Tapper segment allegedly harmed his reputation.

The man suing CNN for defamation and the network were unable to reach a financial settlement as mediation talks between them broke down last week.

Zachary Young, a U.S. Navy veteran and owner of Nemex Enterprises Inc., claims that CNN damaged his reputation and business by falsely accusing him of illegally profiting from helping people flee Afghanistan during the Biden administration's military withdrawal in 2021. The allegations were made during a November 11, 2021, segment on CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper."

A trial for the case will take place in January 2025, as indicated by a filing obtained exclusively by The Media Research Center's NewsBusters.

NewsBusters published a court document stating that the Mediator filed his report to the Court and advised that a mediation conference was held on September 11, 2024, with the parties and attorneys of record appearing in person. However, the parties were unable to reach an agreement and an impasse was declared.

According to NewsBusters associate editor Nicholas Fondacaro, the "amount offered to settle the lawsuit was not revealed," but "it would have needed to be a significant sum to outweigh the potential $1 billion (or more) in compensatory, emotional, and punitive damages."

According to Fondacaro, Young's lead counsel Vel Freedman stated that there is "no possibility of stopping this case before trial" as his client's objective is to "hold CNN accountable."

CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Judge William Henry authorized Young to issue a subpoena for CNN to disclose sensitive financial data presented to Warner Bros. Discovery, allowing Young and his legal team to assess the cable network's net worth.

The CNN segment at the center of the suit, which was shared on social media and also repackaged for CNN's website, began with Tapper informing viewers that CNN correspondent Alex Marquardt discovered "Afghans trying to get out of the country face a black market full of promises, demands of exorbitant fees, and no guarantee of safety or success."

Marquardt accused Young of exploiting desperate Afghans by charging exorbitant and impossible amounts for transportation to Pakistan, where they would end up in the United Arab Emirates.

Marquardt informed viewers that prices were unaffordable for most Afghans.

"Young declined to reveal the cost or confirm if he was earning money."

No other people or companies were named other than Young.

Marquardt informed viewers that in another message, Zachary Young stated, "Availability is extremely limited and demand is high," and added, "That's how economics works, unfortunately."

Marquardt's report was thanked by Tapper, who replied, "Unfortunately, hmm."

CNN was accused by Young of exploiting desperate people and portraying him as a "bad actor" through the use of terms such as "black market" and "exorbitant."

In June 12, the First District Court of Appeal for the State of Florida ruled that Young had sufficient evidence to proceed with his defamation lawsuit.

"The court document states that "Young sufficiently proffered evidence of actual malice, expressed malice, and a level of conduct outrageous enough to open the door for him to seek punitive damages." However, the issue before us is not whether Young can ultimately prevail."

Despite the judges' concerns about the completeness and veracity of the reporting, CNN aired the story.

The judges wrote that CNN published a message exchange Young had with Marquardt just hours before publication, despite Young's warning of factual inaccuracies in the reporting. The judges also noted that other internal communications show CNN staffers had little regard for Young and used profanities and disparaging language when privately discussing him.

According to the court document, Marquardt referred to him as "f---ing Young" and made a quip saying, "it’s your funeral, bucko."

The judges wrote that on appeal, CNN contended that it did not intend to cause harm; its language was either expressing an opinion or being ambiguous; and the internal communications were a reflection of a genuine belief in the accuracy of the reporting.

The Circuit Court for Bay County, Florida, will host a civil trial starting on January 6, 2025, presided over by Judge Henry.