Navy veteran's defamation lawsuit against CNN continues, prompting the network to hire new lawyers.

A defamation lawsuit launched by a Navy veteran against CNN has resulted in the network hiring new lawyers, as they have yet to reach a settlement.

Zachary Young, the plaintiff, claims that CNN falsely accused his security consulting company, Nemex Enterprises Inc., of profiting illegally while assisting people in escaping Afghanistan during the Biden administration's withdrawal from the country in 2021.

CNN has retained Dave Axelrod and Joe Bailey of law firm Ballard Spahr LLP, according to court filings obtained by Planet Chronicle Digital. This occurred after settlement negotiations between Young and the network fell apart.

According to Young's attorney Vel Freeman, who spoke to Planet Chronicle Digital, more lawyers won't alter the underlying facts that show CNN defamed Mr. Young maliciously, and as a result, they must face the consequences in January. The outcome won't be changed by this.

Neither CNN nor Ballard Spahr provided a comment when Planet Chronicle Digital reached out for their opinions.

Axelrod, who is not the same as former Obama adviser and CNN contributor David Axelrod, has been involved in other high-profile cases. He was part of The New York Times' winning legal team defeating a defamation lawsuit against former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. However, Palin successfully won her bid for a retrial last month.

Amber Heard retained him in her appeal against the defamation verdict won by ex-husband Johnny Depp.

During a Nov. 11, 2021, segment on CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper," a U.S. Navy veteran believes that CNN destroyed his reputation and business by branding him an illegal profiteer who exploited desperate Afghans.

CNN's segment, which was posted on social media and also featured on the network's website, began with Tapper stating that CNN correspondent Alex Marquardt found that Afghans attempting to flee the country are confronted with a black market filled with false promises, excessive fees, and no assurance of safety or achievement.

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."

A trial for the case is anticipated to occur 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."

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