- Gregory Bombard was arrested for nothing more than using profanity and giving an officer the finger — all constitutionally protected expression.
- Represented by FIRE and the ACLU of Vermont, Bombard successfully sued the state of Vermont and the trooper for violating his First Amendment rights.
- The settlement includes $100,000 in damages and an additional $75,000 in attorneys’ fees.
ST. ALBANS, Vt., June 26, 2024 — Justice has a long arm, and the Vermont State Police just got the finger.
In February 2018, Gregory Bombard was illegally pulled over, arrested, and locked up for nothing more than swearing and giving a state trooper the bird. With the help of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and the ACLU of Vermont, Bombard sued the Vermont State Police and Trooper Jay Riggen for violating his First Amendment rights.
Today, the defendants have agreed to a settlement that awards Bombard $100,000 in damages and another $75,000 in attorneys’ fees.
“With this settlement, I hope the Vermont State Police will train its troopers to avoid silencing criticism or making baseless car stops,” said Bombard. “And at least now I can pay my criminal attorney for defending me from the bogus charges and take my 88-year-old mother out for a nice dinner.”
Approved ~ FS
OldSundance
Article URL : https://www.thefire.org/news/victory-vermont-man-jailed-flipping-cop-receives-175k-settlement