ST. ALBANS, Vt. (AP) — Vermont has agreed to pay $175,000 to settle a lawsuit on behalf of a man who was charged with a crime for giving the middle finger to a state trooper in 2018, the state chapter of the American Union for People said. Civil Liberties. Wednesday.
The process was filed in 2021 by the ACLU of Vermont on behalf of Gregory Bombard of St. Claims that Bombard’s First Amendment rights were violated following an unnecessary traffic stop and retaliatory arrest in 2018.
Officer Jay Riggen stopped Bombard’s vehicle in St. Albans on Feb. 9, 2018, because he believed Bombard had given him the middle finger, according to the lawsuit. Bombard denied this, but said he swore and showed his middle finger once the initial stop was completed.
Bombard was detained again and arrested on disorderly conduct charges, and his car was towed. He was detained for more than an hour and cited in criminal court, according to the ACLU. The charge was eventually dismissed.
Under the settlement the parties signed this month, the state agreed to pay Bombard $100,000 and $75,000 to the ACLU of Vermont and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression for attorney fees.
“While our client is pleased with this outcome, this incident should never have happened,” ACLU of Vermont attorney Hillary Rich said in a statement. “Police need to respect everyone’s First Amendment rights — even when it comes to things they find offensive or insulting.”
The Vermont State Police had no comment on the settlement. Vermont did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
Bombard said in a statement provided by the ACLU that he hopes the Vermont State Police will train its troopers “to avoid silencing criticism or making unfounded car stops.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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