A Florida appellate court affirmed this month that U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young and his company, Nemex Enterprises Inc., could seek punitive damages for the Afghanistan story that the plaintiff alleges had improperly suggested he was an illegal profiteer.

Vel Freedman, Young’s lawyer, told NewsBusters his client lost $40-60 million in economic opportunity and could get up to $600 million if a jury awards him emotional damages. With punitive damages, CNN could also end up paying $1 billion, per the report.

The lawsuit alleges CNN wrecked Young’s reputation and business with its report by correspondent Alex Marquardt. Tapper introduced the segment by telling of a “black market” with demands of “exorbitant fees” and “no guarantee of safety or success.”

Internal communications produced in the case showed CNN employees call Young, the sole operator profiled in the TV and online report, a “shitbag” and “a-hole.” There was also a remark about how they were “going to nail this Zachary Young mfucker.”

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Other CNN messages revealed discussions about how the story was “full of holes like Swiss cheese” and Young telling Marquardt hours before publication that there were factual inaccuracies in the reporting — which CNN went and published anyway.

CNN argued in its appeal that it “did not intend to harm,” that its “language was either opinion or ambiguous,” and that the internal communications were “journalistic bravado that reflected a sincere belief in the reporting,” the appeals court noted in its opinion.

But “Young sufficiently proffered evidence of actual malice, express malice, and a level of conduct outrageous enough to open the door for him to seek punitive damages,” the judges said as they affirmed a trial court judge’s ruling that came before it.

The Daily Wire reached out to a CNN representative on Tuesday seeking comment on the Florida appellate court’s ruling but did not immediately receive a response. This report will be updated if CNN does reply to the request.

A Democratic politician whom the Chicago Tribune regarded as “arguably the most powerful politician in Chicago for decades” was convicted of corruption but got a light sentence from the judge.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall sentenced former Chicago Alderman Edward Burke to two years in federal prison, roughly one-fifth of what prosecutors recommended and far less than the 6.5 years recommended by federal guidelines. He was also fined $2 million. Burke, who is reputedly worth $30 million, was convicted on 13 of 14 counts of racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion.

“Prosecutors argued the actual cost of the crimes Burke was convicted of was $829,525,” WTTW reported.

Burke, who is 80 years old,  “surely won’t be incarcerated for close to the two years he got Monday for getting caught red-handed shaking down businesses needing city permits and approvals,” the Chicago Tribune editorial board opined.

“Clearly, these were not a one-time lapse in judgment,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker said regarding the incidents in which Burke acted corruptly. “They were the exact opposite. … He operated as a seasoned professional.”

“The $2 million fine was, on one level, a big bill for Burke to have to pay but also very disturbing to us,” The Tribune stated, pointing out Burke could well afford it. “… it left the impression of a powerful man being permitted to purchase years of freedom, simply because he had sufficient resources to do so.”

Prior to the sentencing, prosecutors accused Burke of abusing his power “again and again and again and again over a period of years, working in his own best interest instead of the public’s. … His conduct hurt not only the specific victims in his case, but all residents of the city of Chicago who have a right to honest government. … That trust will not easily be repaired.”

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“Corruption in the Chicago City Council tears at the fabric of a vital body of local government,” Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Morris Pasqual stated after the sentence. “When an alderman fails to discharge his duties with honesty and integrity, he betrays not only the citizens of Chicago, but his fellow public officials who do their jobs the right way. Our office will continue to vigorously prosecute corruption and hold public officials accountable for violating the public trust.”