A Kentucky jury has awarded U.S. Sen. Rand Paul more than $580,000 in damages stemming from a November 2017 dispute in which a neighbor tackled the Republican lawmaker, who was doing yardwork at his home in Bowling Green.
Paul suffered six broken ribs. The neighbor, then-59-year-old Rene Boucher, was charged with assaulting a member of Congress, a felony under federal law. He pleaded guilty in March 2018. Boucher received a 30-day prison sentence in June and paid a $10,000 fine.
The attack was not politically motivated, according to Boucher, but was prompted by Paul's leaving brush and leaves between their two properties.
The jury awarded Paul $375,000 in punitive damages and $200,000 for pain and suffering, plus $7,834 for medical expenses.
Boucher's attorney, Matt Baker, said his client will appeal the damage award.
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