ST. ALBANS, Va. (AP) — Vermont has agreed to pay $175,000 to settle a lawsuit on behalf of a man charged with a crime for giving a middle finger to a state trooper in 2018, the state Division of American Civil Rights said. Liberties Union. Wednesday.
The lawsuit was filed in 2021 by the ACLU of Vermont on behalf of Gregory Bombard of St. Albans. The report alleges that Bombard’s First Amendment rights were violated following an unnecessary traffic stop and retaliatory arrest in 2018.
Officer Jay Riggen pulled over Bombard’s vehicle in St. Albans on Feb. 9, 2018, because he believed Bombard had given him the finger, the lawsuit says. Bombard denied it, but claims he cursed and gave the finger after the initial stop was completed.
Bombard was stopped again and arrested on a disorderly conduct charge, and his car was towed. According to the ACLU, he was jailed for more than an hour and was arraigned in criminal court. The charges were eventually dismissed.
Under the settlement the parties signed this month, the state has agreed to pay Bombard $100,000 and $75,000 to the ACLU of Vermont and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression for legal fees.
“While our client is pleased with this outcome, this incident should never have happened in the first place,” Hillary Rich, staff attorney for the ACLU of Vermont, said in a statement. “Police must respect everyone’s First Amendment rights — even for things they consider offensive or offensive.”
Vermont State Police had no comment on the settlement. Vermont did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the deal.
Bombard said in a statement released by the ACLU that he hopes the Vermont State Police will train its troops “to avoid silencing criticism or making unwarranted car stops.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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