CBS News is facing a $20 million defamation lawsuit after it misidentified a Maryland teenager in a Reflecting Pool report.

A Maryland teenager's $20 million defamation lawsuit claims CBS News falsely linked him to the arrest of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool vandals.

CBS News faces a defamation lawsuit as a Maryland teenager seeks $20 million in damages, claiming he was falsely identified as the person arrested for vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial's reflecting pool cover.

The suit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, identified the 15-year-old plaintiff as simply "JV."

"He wasn't arrested for vandalizing it. Law enforcement didn't charge him with vandalizing it. Yet CBS News ran a story to a national audience that placed JV's picture alongside the claim that five people had been arrested for vandalizing and 'vandalizing' the reflecting pool, thereby falsely portraying JV as a public federal crime."

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CBS News anchor Jerica Duncan during a newscast at the center of a $20 million defamation lawsuit.

"This allegation was particularly traumatic because at all times the subject of the allegations, the renovation of the reflecting pool and the subsequent alleged destruction of the reflecting pool, has been or has been the subject of intense national attention and political controversy," the complaint continued.

President Donald Trump has spoken frequently about restoring the reflecting pool and has publicly condemned those accused of vandalism in extremely harsh terms, saying they should be "prosecuted to the fullest extent." It was added.

The lawsuit alleges that CBS dragged the JV into controversy and exposed him to severe embarrassment, humiliation and public condemnation directed at the real spoilers. The lawsuit alleges that JV's presence near the Reflecting Pool was "completely unrelated to vandalism" and that he was simply detained for a short time for riding his bicycle in the area.

The New York Times lost a defamation lawsuit and was ordered to pay a former Alabama basketball player $9.25 million.

JV was released without charge and "his arrest had nothing to do with vandalism or vandalism at the reflection pool."

"Nevertheless, CBS used video footage of JV's arrest in its report on the reflection pool vandalism. As CBS anchor Jerrica Duncan told viewers that 'five people were arrested,' the video showed JV in handcuffs," the lawsuit states.

It continues: “In the version that CBS distributed online and via social media, CBS showed JV turned to the camera with his face fully visible as Duncan made a statement about the arrests and then identified one of the alleged perpetrators, David Hearn.

"The visual and verbal presentation released by defendants undeniably conveys the false message that JV is among those arrested for vandalism at the Reflection Pond and confuses JV with Hearn, the adult who was subsequently charged with the crime of vandalism," the complaint added.

JV's legal team claimed that CBS was aware of the 15-year-old's arrest for possession of an e-bike, and not vandalism, because the original video obtained by the network clearly distinguished between the two.

"The facts alleged here demonstrate that CBS either knew that the JV image was false or acted with reckless disregard for its accuracy," the lawsuit alleges.

This publication continued: "CBS aggravated the damage through the manner and extent of its publication. "Although the national television broadcast did not show JV's face, the CBS online and social media version did. Immediately after portraying his distinctive sweatshirt while reporting that they had been arrested, his face was shown. JV was easily identified by friends and acquaintances."

The lawsuit notes that the video of the report has received at least 1.8 million views on social media alone. JV's legal team said he has suffered "profound" consequences, including embarrassment, humiliation, anxiety, loss of sleep, emotional distress, alienation from friends and continued "fear that CBS's false allegations will follow him through high school and affect his college admissions, athletic opportunities, career and future."

The lawsuit notes that CBS issued an on-air correction, but said that "the late admission ... cannot cancel the broadcast or erase its implications."

CBS News declined to comment on pending litigation.

A judge permanently dismissed a reflection pool vandalism case against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of damaging a $14.million renovation project in June.

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