Vermont has agreed to pay $175,000 to settle a lawsuit on behalf of a man who was charged with a crime for giving a state trooper the middle finger in 2018, according to the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
The lawsuit, filed in 2021 by the ACLU of Vermont on behalf of Gregory Bombard of St. Albans, alleged that Bombard's First Amendment rights were violated during an unnecessary traffic stop and retaliatory arrest in 2018.
Trooper Jay Riggen stopped Bombard’s vehicle in St. Albans on Feb. 9, 2018, believing Bombard had shown him the middle finger. Bombard denied the gesture but admitted to cursing and displaying the middle finger after the initial stop.
Bombard was stopped again, arrested for disorderly conduct, and had his car towed. He was jailed for over an hour and cited to criminal court, although the charge was later dismissed.
As part of the settlement 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 legal fees.
Hillary Rich, staff attorney for the ACLU of Vermont, stated, 'While our client is pleased with this outcome, this incident should never have happened in the first place. Police need to respect everyone’s First Amendment rights, even for things they consider offensive or insulting.'
The Vermont State Police declined to comment on the settlement, and Vermont did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the deal.
Bombard expressed hope that the Vermont State Police would provide training to its troopers to prevent the silencing of criticism or baseless car stops.
