What can I do if the previous tenant made damages to the apartment?

My former tenant in NY moved out of my apartment in NY at the end of February. Instead of paying rent for February, he "allowed" me to keep the security deposit, which was a direct violation of our lease agreement. I've had someone inspect my apartment and they informed me that many of the walls have paint damage and scuff marks. I have photographs that show the state of the apartment before and after my former tenant's occupacy. Can I sue for damages, especially considering that he violated the lease agreement (I also have an email where he admitted to violating the agreement)? Would it be worth it to pursue a lawsuit?