Navy Veteran Sues AP Over 'Smuggling' Language in Afghanistan Story

A Navy veteran, Zachary Young, is suing the Associated Press (AP) for defamation, alleging that the news organization's use of the word "smuggling" in a report about Afghanistan falsely implied he engaged in criminal conduct. Young, who earlier this year won a similar defamation lawsuit against CNN, is seeking punitive damages in this new case.

The lawsuit stems from an AP story that referenced Young's activities in Afghanistan. Young argues that the AP's choice of the word "smuggling" created a false and damaging impression of his actions. He claims the term suggests he was involved in illegal or illicit activities, which he denies.

Young's legal team asserts that the AP acted negligently in its reporting and failed to adequately verify the accuracy of its claims. They argue that the AP's use of the term "smuggling" was not justified by the facts and that it caused significant harm to Young's reputation and professional standing. The lawsuit seeks to hold the AP accountable for its alleged defamation and to compensate Young for the damages he has suffered.