Fall River Man Awarded $72,500 After Arrest For Filming Officer

BOSTON (AP) — A Fall River man charged with recording a city police officer has been awarded more than $70,000 in a settlement.

An attorney for George Thompson said Tuesday that Fall River paid him $72,500.

Thompson was arrested in January 2014 by police Officer Thomas Barboza after Thompson recorded the officer loudly and repeatedly cursing on his cellphone while working a traffic detail in front of Thompson's home.

Barboza then threatened and arrested him. He took Thompson's phone, and police later deleted its contents.

Charges against Thompson were eventually dropped.

Thompson filed a civil rights lawsuit later that year.

A message for Barboza's attorney wasn't immediately returned.

A man who answered the phone at a number listed for Barboza told The Associated Press he would file harassment charges if he were called again.

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