The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against CBS Broadcasting and CBS Interactive, was brought by the teen (identified as JV) and a parent. It claims defamation and false-light invasion of privacy.
According to the complaint, JV was briefly handcuffed and detained June 20 near the National Mall over the use of an e-dirt bike and released without charges. The next day’s broadcast, anchored by Jericka Duncan, paired narration about Reflecting Pool arrests with video of him from behind in handcuffs. The suit says he was identifiable by his hair and a distinctive logo on his black hoodie, creating the false impression he was among those arrested for damaging the landmark. Online versions also showed him, and the report was widely viewed.
On Aug. 21, Duncan issued a retraction stating the story should never have been published. CBS declined to comment. The broader vandalism claims have largely collapsed; charges against former Olympian David Hearn were dismissed with prejudice after officials attributed the damage to a flawed contractor installation, and no other individuals were charged.
According to the complaint, JV was briefly handcuffed and detained June 20 near the National Mall over the use of an e-dirt bike and released without charges. The next day’s broadcast, anchored by Jericka Duncan, paired narration about Reflecting Pool arrests with video of him from behind in handcuffs. The suit says he was identifiable by his hair and a distinctive logo on his black hoodie, creating the false impression he was among those arrested for damaging the landmark. Online versions also showed him, and the report was widely viewed.
On Aug. 21, Duncan issued a retraction stating the story should never have been published. CBS declined to comment. The broader vandalism claims have largely collapsed; charges against former Olympian David Hearn were dismissed with prejudice after officials attributed the damage to a flawed contractor installation, and no other individuals were charged.