Baltimore Cuts Fee Sought For Federal Investigation Response

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Baltimore's mayor is reducing the amount a Washington law firm would be paid this year to represent the city during the U.S. Justice Department's civil rights investigation of the police force.

The city would now pay the firm $1.2 million, instead of $2 million, and the funds are now separated from a $6.4 million settlement with the family of Freddie Gray, who died after he was injured in police custody.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the spending panel controlled by the mayor is expected to approve the funds Wednesday and the city council could consider the bills as early as Monday.

The two spending items were originally in the same supplemental budget bill, but council members concerned that the firm might work against needed reforms, demanded they be split.

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