Maryland Teen Sues CBS News for Defamation Over Reflecting Pool Vandalism Segment

CBS News is facing a multimillion-dollar defamation lawsuit over its coverage of alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool at Washington.A 15-year-old Maryland teen, identified as JV, filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, accusing CBS News of invasion of privacy and defamation over a June 21 report on the “CBS Evening News.”The report “falsely asserted that JV was arrested for engaging in vandalism towards the Reflecting Pool,” the lawsuit alleges. While the televised version did not show his face, the lawsuit asserts that there were details that disclosed his identity, such as “his hair and because of the distinctive nature of the logo on the black hoodie that he was wearing (which he routinely wears and is known to wear).” The lawsuit says that versions of the segment shared on social media showed his face. During the segment, the anchor, Jericka Duncan, discussed five arrests that were made near the reflecting pool. She named only Olympian David Hearn in the segment. Mr. Hearn was charged with destruction of government property for allegedly damaging the sealant in the reflecting pool. However, the U.S. Attorney’s Office at Washington said that an investigation showed the rips in the lining of the reflecting pool were the result of a “botched installation.” A federal judge permanently dismissed the charges.JV’s lawsuit alleges that CBS News “presented the story in a way that asserted that JV had been arrested for engaging [in vandalism]” and says that he was not arrested at all. “JV was readily recognized by friends and acquaintances. In fact, it was a family friend who first notified JV and/or his family about the report,” the lawsuit says. The complaint notes that on August 16, Ms. Duncan said that the network “never should have published the story.” Still, attorneys for the plaintiff say the segment and claim that he was arrested have “significantly affected” him emotionally and “done immutable damage to his reputation.”A CBS News spokesman declined to comment on the pending litigation.

Maryland Teen Sues CBS News for Defamation Over Reflecting Pool Vandalism Segment

Maryland Teen Sues CBS News for Defamation Over Reflecting Pool Vandalism Segment

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