Settlement Details
Vermont has agreed to pay $175,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by Gregory Bombard, who was charged with a crime for giving a state trooper the middle finger in 2018. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Vermont announced the settlement on Wednesday.
Incident and Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed in 2021 by the ACLU of Vermont, claims Bombard’s First Amendment rights were violated following an unnecessary traffic stop and retaliatory arrest. According to the lawsuit, Trooper Jay Riggen stopped Bombard’s vehicle in St. Albans on February 9, 2018, believing Bombard had shown him the middle finger. Bombard denied this initial accusation but admitted to cursing and displaying the middle finger once the stop was concluded.
Arrest and Charges
After the initial stop, Bombard was stopped again and arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct. His car was towed, and he was jailed for over an hour before being cited to criminal court. The disorderly conduct charge was eventually dismissed.
Settlement Breakdown
Under the settlement agreement signed this month, the state will pay Bombard $100,000 and an additional $75,000 to the ACLU of Vermont and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression to cover legal fees.
Statements from ACLU and Bombard
“While our client is pleased with this outcome, this incident should never have happened in the first place,” said Hillary Rich, staff attorney for the ACLU of Vermont. “Police need to respect everyone’s First Amendment rights — even for things they consider offensive or insulting.”
Bombard expressed hope that the Vermont State Police will train its troopers to avoid silencing criticism or making baseless car stops. “I hope this leads to better training and respect for free speech,” he said in a statement provided by the ACLU.
