Maryland teenager sues CBS News for $20M over Reflecting Pool misidentification

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 02:15 · Archive

A 15-year-old Maryland teenager is seeking $20 million in damages from CBS News, claiming the broadcaster falsely identified him as one of five people arrested for vandalising the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

A 15-year-old Maryland teenager has filed a $20 million defamation lawsuit against CBS News in U.S. District Court in Washington DC, claiming the broadcaster falsely identified him as a vandal at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The lawsuit states that CBS News broadcast and published a story to a national audience that placed the teenager's image alongside the assertion that five people had been arrested for vandalising the Reflecting Pool, thereby falsely portraying him as a perpetrator of the crime.

According to the lawsuit, the teenager's presence near the Reflecting Pool was entirely unrelated to the vandalism. He was briefly detained for riding an e-bike in the area but was released without charges. The lawsuit alleges that CBS News "inserted" the teenager into the controversy and "exposed him to extreme embarrassment, humiliation, and the public condemnation" directed at the actual vandals.

The lawsuit notes that the Reflecting Pool renovation and alleged vandalism have been the subject of intense national attention and political controversy, with President Donald Trump frequently discussing the matter and condemning those accused of vandalism in harsh terms.

How it is being reported

• CBS News faces $20M defamation lawsuit after misidentifying Maryland teenager in Reflecting Pool reportCBS News faces a $20 million defamation lawsuit after falsely identifying a Maryland teenager as a Reflecting Pool vandal in a national broadcast.New York Post · 16 Oct, 02:04
• CBS News faces $20M defamation lawsuit after misidentifying Maryland teenager in Reflecting Pool reportA Maryland teenager's $20 million defamation lawsuit claims CBS News falsely linked him to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool vandalism arrests.Fox News · 15 Oct, 23:29

In this story: CBS News · Maryland · Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool · Donald Trump · JV

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