Jury Awards Sen. Rand Paul More Than $580,000 In Damages In Attack By Neighbor

By Richard Gonzales / NPR

Published January 30, 2019 at 1:42 PM PST

This story was published more than 5 years ago.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky, in September 2018 in Washington, D.C. He's been awarded more than a half million dollars in damages after being injured in an assault by a neighbor.

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 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 leaving brush and leaves between their two properties.

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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 he will appeal the damage award.