Pennsylvania Officer Sued For Writing 'Offensive Gesture' Ticket

A Lawrence County man has filed a federal lawsuit against a police officer who wrote him a ticket for directing an offensive gesture toward a road construction worker.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that Thomas Burns was driving on Brodhead Road in Center Township, Beaver County, last April when he and other drivers had to stop in a construction zone.

Burns became frustrated after waiting in traffic, then raised his middle finger to construction workers.

An officer pulled Burns over and cited him with obscene disorderly conduct.

The charge was dropped in October after the police officer and witnesses didn't show up for court.

Burns said the charge never should have been issued in the first place. He thinks the officer violated his constitutional right to free speech.

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