Public court records or announcements from ACLU and FIRE

St. Albans Man Wins $175K Settlement After Arrest for Flipping Off Trooper

Jun 26, 2024, 07:33 PM

Gregory Bombard of St. Albans, a Vermont man, has secured a $175,000 settlement after being arrested in 2018 for flipping off a state police trooper. The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU of Vermont in 2021, argued that Bombard's First Amendment rights were violated during an unnecessary traffic stop and retaliatory arrest. The settlement, supported by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and the ACLU of Vermont, underscores the legal repercussions of retaliating against free speech. Vermont is now responsible for the damages and legal fees.