Oregon man settles hand gesture lawsuit for $4,000

PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon man has settled a federal lawsuit over a hand gesture he made to sheriff’s deputies.

The Oregonian reported that Robert Ekas settled the suit for $4,000 after he claimed he had a First Amendment right to express himself by “flipping off” Clackamas County deputies.

Ekas was stopped twice in 2007 after making the gesture. He was cited for an illegal lane change and improper display of license plates but was acquitted.

A story earlier this year in the Portland newspaper brought Ekas national media attention, including radio interviews and an appearance of Comedy Central’s “Colbert Report.”

County officials said it was a business decision because it was cheaper to settle the case than to proceed with defending the lawsuit.

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