The FBI will pay $22.6 million to resolve allegations of sexual bias by female trainees

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has agreed to pay $22.6 million to settle a lawsuit filed by 34 women who claim they were wrongfully dismissed from the agency’s agent training academy because of their gender, a statement said Court filing from Monday.

The settlement would resolve a 2019 class-action lawsuit alleging that the FBI, part of the U.S. Department of Justice, had a widespread practice of pushing out female trainees. A federal judge in Washington must approve the deal.

The plaintiffs allege they were found unsuitable to graduate from the training academy despite performing as well or better than many male trainees on academic, physical fitness and firearms tests. Some of them also say they have been subjected to sexual harassment and sexist jokes and comments.

Along with the payout, the proposed settlement would allow eligible class members to apply for readmission into the agent training program and require the FBI to hire outside experts to ensure its evaluation process for trainees is fair.

“The FBI has deprived itself of some truly extraordinary talent,” David J. Shaffer, the attorney who originally filed the lawsuit, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, some in the comparison class may not seek reinstatement because they have rebuilt their careers and families elsewhere in the years since their dismissal. Still, these women should be incredibly proud of what they have accomplished in holding the FBI accountable.”

The FBI, which has denied wrongdoing, declined to comment on the settlement but said it had taken significant steps over the past five years to ensure gender equality in agent training.

“Bring a measure of justice”

The lawsuit accused the FBI of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on sex and other characteristics. Less than a quarter of FBI special agents are women, the agency said in an April report.

Paula Bird, a practicing attorney and lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, said she is “extremely pleased” that the settlement will “bring some measure of justice” and prompt the FBI to make changes “that will allow women to train as agents in the future.” “Good chance for your dream career.”

“My dream was to become an FBI agent,” Bird said in a statement. “I interned with the FBI in college and did everything necessary to qualify for the role of a special agent. I even became a lawyer, which the FBI considers a valuable qualification for future agents. It was devastating when the FBI destroyed my career.” “

The settlement comes nearly two years after the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General’s December 2022 report on gender equity in the office’s training programs, commissioned by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.

Earlier this year, the Justice Department announced it would pay nearly $139 million to survivors of Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse as part of a settlement alleging the FBI mishandled the original allegations.

Contribution: Reuters

Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter,@KrystalRNurse.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FBI agrees to $22 million settlement in gender discrimination lawsuit at academy