Fmr. New Bedford Man to Pay Sen. Rand Paul $580K

BOWLING GREEN, KY — The former New Bedford man who spear-tackled Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has been ordered to pay more than $500,000 to the politician as the result of a lawsuit.

A Kentucky jury Wednesday awarded Senator Paul $375,000 in punitive damages, $200,000 for pain and suffering, and nearly $8,000 in medical expenses, the Bowling Green Daily News reports.

The November 2017 attack by Rene Boucher, a New Bedford High School Graduate, left Paul with six broken ribs, three fractures, and a difficult road to recovery.

The civil trial lasted three days.

The dispute began over a brush pile that Boucher said was left too close to his property line by Senator Paul. The two men are neighbors in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Boucher's attorney says the decision will be appealed.