Navy Vet Seeks $453 Million from Associated Press in Defamation Suit

www.newsbusters.org/ ^ | April 26th, 2025 6:20 PM | Nicholas Fondacaro

[airdalechief]

In a Friday Notice of Filing, Navy veteran Zachary notified Florida’s 14th Judicial Circuit in Bay County, that he would be seeking upwards of $453 million in damages through his defamation suit against The Associated Press. The wire service allegedly falsely accused Young of committing a felony while rescuing nearly two dozen women and a baby from Afghanistan.

[airdalechief]

“Based on the severity and scope of The Associated Press’s defamatory conduct, the foreseeable and actual harm caused, and the willful nature of the publication, Plaintiffs in good faith estimate their total damages to be no less than $450,000,000, subject to amendment following discovery,” Young’s filing argued.

Young was seeking damages on four fronts: economic loss, reputational harm, emotional distress, and Punitive damages. In total, Young was looking to be awarded between $373 - $453 million.

Using Navy terminology: (Go get 'em shipmate)

[ClearCase_guy]

Some judge is gonna say he has no standing.

[T.B. Yoits]

The number may seem high but every television show and every web site that ran and reran that defamatory story got paid from advertisers.

They profited from a crime. He's right to ask that money go to him, the victim, instead.

[linMcHlp]

bttt

[Skooz]

I hope he gets every dime.

[Billthedrill]

Classic case of printing the narrative and hiding the facts. I doubt he’ll get that much punitive but I’m hoping he does.

[Jaysin]

“I hope he gets every dime.”

and so does the law firm representing him.......

heck, the AP attorneys dont mind either—the more the case drags out, the more billable hours they can collect on!

[FreedomPoster]

This is the FL Panhandle, Panama City and Panama City Beach. This is not a big Dem city. This could go very poorly for the Eh? Pee!

[TwelveOfTwenty]

I hope he gets every penny.

[enduserindy]

I live next to Tyndall. People are definitely cut different around here. I told my wife I hope I get called for jury duty.

[T-Bird45]

I predict the AP lawyers will use Sullivan v. NYTimes to construe that Zachary made himself a “public figure”, thus making the libel standard much more difficult for the plaintiff, i.e. “malice” & “utter disregard for the truth.”

[Jacquerie]

Some Freepers read articles before posting. Try it.

[WASCWatch]

You don’t understand the NY Times v. Sullivan case, or subsequent cases.

A person doesn’t become a “public person” just because they filed a defamation lawsuit. He wasn’t a “public figure” when he was defamed. There are a number of cases which make this point quite clear; so clear, the defendants will likely not even make that defense.

[T-Bird45]

Apparently, I was not clear on how they would make him a “public figure.” His actions in the effort to rescue those people from Afghanistan would be their contention, not the filing of the case. As for my level of understanding, I believe recent events by lawyers & courts give evidence that any argument can succeed in the right set of circumstances. My comment was meant to only pose one straw the AP may grasp . I sincerely want the plaintiff to prevail.