Vermont Bar Owner’s Suit Settled with Apology by Village

A Bellows Falls, Vermont bar owner has won a $22,500 settlement and a formal apology from the village stemming from his arrest when he refused to let police officers enter his pub to check for underage drinkers.

The suit followed an incident in June of 2006 when Wayne Ryan was checking IDs at the door of his pub, Nick’s Food and Spirits, and two undercover officers, Bellows Falls Officer Christopher Brooks and state Trooper Eric Vitali, sought to enter.

Ryan asked for the men’s IDs. Brooks presented one and was allowed to enter. Vitali did not show ID and Ryan placed his hands on Vitali’s shoulders and directed him toward the door.

Ryan was arrested days later and charged with impeding an officer — a charge later dismissed.