Baltimore officials unanimously finalize $3.5M settlement with business owners related to Freddie Gray unrest, despite concerns

The Baltimore Board of Estimates unanimously approved a $3.5 million settlement Wednesday with 68 current and former business owners whose properties were damaged during the 2015 unrest following Freddie Gray’s death from injuries suffered in police custody. Approving the settlement was largely a formality after the plaintiffs’ attorney, Peter Hwang, and a city spokesperson said in March the two sides had reached an agreement. The Board of Estimates has to approve every settlement the city agrees to.