Five years ago, a Vermont State Trooper, Jay Riggen, arrested a motorist, Gregory Bombard, for allegedly flipping him the middle finger and calling him an "a**hole." The incident, which took place on February 8, 2019, was captured on video and recently uploaded to YouTube.
The confrontation began when Riggen, driving his patrol car, observed Bombard seemingly giving him the middle finger while passing in another vehicle. An angered Riggen pulled Bombard over on a residential street and approached his driver's side window, initiating a heated exchange.
In the newly released dash cam video, Riggen accuses Bombard of the gesture, but Bombard denies it, suggesting the trooper is "sensitive." Riggen becomes increasingly frustrated, stating he hasn't stopped anyone in 12 years for such an act and deeming it "unusual behavior." Riggen implies that Bombard was seeking attention by sending a "negative signal" to a trooper.
The argument continues, with Bombard questioning the legality of extending his middle finger, and Riggen not providing a clear answer. Riggen eventually returns to his patrol car, following Bombard down the street while still agitated.
Inside the patrol car, Riggen asserts that Bombard called him an "ahole" and said "fk you." Riggen activates his lights and sirens, announcing Bombard's arrest for disorderly conduct. The video shows Bombard being handcuffed and taken to jail. However, the charges were later dropped, and the case was closed.
In 2021, Bombard filed a civil suit against Riggen, alleging a violation of his First Amendment rights during the "interrogation, arrest, and citation." The lawsuit is currently pending.
