A Florida jury found CNN liable for $5 million on Friday in a defamation trial against U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young, who sued the network after he was described as an “illegal profiteer” during a report on evacuees in Afghanistan.

The CNN story was about private contractors charging Afghans thousands of dollars to aid them in evacuating during the U.S. withdraw. 

The story first aired on CNN anchor Jake Tapper’s show, according to The Guardian.

Under the jury's ruling, Young receives $4 million in financial damages and $1 million for emotional damage.

A new phase of the trial related to potential punitive damages has started. 

A spokesperson for CNN provided Just the News with a statement in reaction to the jury’s decision.  

"We remain proud of our journalists and are 100% committed to strong, fearless and fair-minded reporting at CNN, though we will of course take what useful lessons we can from this case," the spokesperson said.