A teenager sues CBS News over story linking him to Lincoln Memorial pool vandalism arrests

A Maryland teenager has filed a defamation lawsuit against CBS News over a report that his lawyers say falsely linked him to those arrested last summer on charges of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks at least $20 million in damages. The plaintiff, […]

A Maryland teenager has filed a defamation lawsuit against CBS News over a report that his lawyers say falsely linked him as one of those arrested last summer for vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial's reflecting pool.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks at least $20 million in damages.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff, JV, a 15-year-old high school student, was riding his e-bike through the National Mall on June 20. He was briefly detained and handcuffed for using an e-bike and released without charge. Related News MS NOW corrects report on FBI Director Kash Patel landing in Russia: 'We regret the error' Mark Ruffalo hasn't really forgiven Gwynne Newsom for supporting the Paramount-WBD merger. This could be a 2028 problem for a potential POTUS challenger

The complaint alleged that in a June 21 report in the CBS Evening News, a story "falsely claimed that JV had been arrested for vandalism to the reflecting pool." The broadcast story did not show his face, but the complaint claimed that "video of him was shown from behind while he was briefly handcuffed, and was easily identifiable by his hair and by the distinctive nature of the logo on the black hoodie he was wearing (which he usually wears). Watch on Deadline

According to the report, CBS News also ran the story on its website and social media accounts with changes to the suit. In that version, anchor Jerrica Duncan talked about the reflecting pool arrests and only mentioned Olympic champion David Hearn. The online video showed JV from behind, but his face was visible when he turned, according to the lawsuit.

"JV was easily identified by friends and acquaintances. In fact, it was a family friend who first reported the report to JV and/or his family," the lawsuit states. While it is claimed to have been viewed 1.8 million times on Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram.

The lawsuit alleges that JV has "suffered embarrassment, humiliation, anxiety, sleep loss, emotional distress and the constant fear that CBS's false allegations will follow him through high school and affect his college admissions, athletic opportunities, employment and career prospects."

On Aug. 21, according to the lawsuit, Duncan denied it, saying, "We should never have published this story."

A CBS spokesperson declined to comment. This lawsuit was first reported by

Meanwhile, allegations of vandalism to the reflecting pool have been dropped.

Apart from Hearn, no one else was charged. Hearn's case was dismissed after U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro acknowledged that the damage to the reflection pond was caused by improper work on the part of the contractor. The Washington Post reported Wednesday that an inspection report concluded that the water coating applied to the pool failed in at least 85 places.

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