Baltimore's Board of Estimates on Wednesday approved a $50,000 payment to a grandfather who said he was injured when a police officer handcuffed him several years ago.
The city spending panel agreed to a settle a false arrest lawsuit filed by James Dunnigan, whom police arrested in October of 2011.
According to a memo provided to the board by the city solicitor's office, Dunnigan's encounter with the police began in the 2500 block of Washington Boulevard when two female police officers came upon another officer arresting Dunnigan's grandson. Dunnigan attempted to approach his grandson, but police ordered him to get back, the memo states. He continued to try to push past an officer and was placed under arrest, the city said.
Dunnigan was charged with disorderedly conduct and obstructing an arrest, but prosecutors dropped those charges. After the arrest, Dunnigan alleged the handcuffs exacerbated previous injuries requiring surgery, according to the memo.
The city also agreed Wednesday to settle a second suit for $40,000 that was filed by a Department of Public Works engineer named Dawn Johnson, who alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act because city officials asked her to undergo a fitness-for-duty evaluation after she underwent a non-work-related surgery, city officials said.
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