Gregory Bombard flipped off a State Trooper in 2018, was arrested, and claims to have suffered from retaliation since. VSP declines to confirm or deny.
by Timothy Page
Vermont has agreed to a $175,000 settlement in a lawsuit involving a man charged for giving a state trooper the middle finger in 2018, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Vermont.
The lawsuit, filed in 2021 by the ACLU on behalf of Gregory Bombard of St. Albans, claimed that Bombard’s First Amendment rights were violated during an unnecessary traffic stop and subsequent retaliatory arrest.
The incident occurred on February 9, 2018, when Trooper Jay Riggen stopped Bombard’s vehicle in St. Albans, suspecting that Bombard had made an obscene gesture towards him. Bombard denied the initial accusation but admitted to cursing and displaying the middle finger after the stop concluded.
Following this, Bombard was stopped again, arrested on a disorderly conduct charge, and his car was towed. He was detained for over an hour and cited to criminal court, though the charge was later dismissed.
As part of the settlement reached this month, the state agreed to pay Bombard $100,000 and an additional $75,000 to cover legal fees for the ACLU of Vermont and the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression.
Hillary Rich, staff attorney for the ACLU of Vermont, emphasized that the incident should never have occurred, stating, “Police need to respect everyone’s First Amendment rights — even for things they consider offensive or insulting.”
The Vermont State Police did not comment on the settlement. Bombard expressed hope that the settlement would prompt the Vermont State Police to train troopers to avoid silencing criticism or making unwarranted traffic stops.