WASHINGTON — The FBI has agreed to pay more than $22 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging female recruits were singled out for dismissal in training and routinely harassed by instructors with sexually charged comments about their breast size, false allegations of infidelity and the need to take contraception “to control their moods.”
The payout to 34 women dismissed from the FBI’s training academy in Quantico, Virginia, still subject to approval by a federal judge, would rank among the biggest lawsuit settlements in the history of the bureau.
“These problems are pervasive within the FBI and the attitudes that created them were learned at the academy,” said David J. Shaffer, the lawyer for the women. “This case will make important major changes in these attitudes.”
Filed in 2019, the lawsuit contends that female recruits had been subjected to a hostile working environment in which they were judged more harshly than their male peers and “excessively targeted for correction and dismissal in tactical situations for perceived lack of judgment” and subjective “suitability” criteria.
One of the women said she was admonished to “smile more” and subjected to repeated sexual advances. Another said that an instructor leered at her and stared at her chest, “sometimes while licking his lips.”
“Through passive tolerance,” the lawsuit said, “the FBI has intentionally allowed the Good Old Boy Network to flourish unrestrained at the FBI Academy.”
The FBI did not immediately comment on the settlement. Many of the allegations in the lawsuit were confirmed in a 2022 internal watchdog report. Men still make up some three-quarters of the bureau’s special agents despite efforts to diversify in recent years.
Among the provisions of the settlement was that the FBI would offer the plaintiffs a chance to continue training toward becoming agents and “guaranteed placement,” for those who pass, in one of their top three preferred field offices. The bureau also has agreed to a review by outside experts who will work to ensure that female recruits face a fair evaluation process.
Some of the women have moved on to other careers, Shaffer said, adding “the FBI has deprived itself of some genuinely exceptional talent.”
Paula Bird, a lead plaintiff in the case who is now a lawyer, said that while the experience has been “disillusioning,” she was “pleased that this settlement will bring a measure of justice to the women who were unfairly dismissed.”
The lawsuit came amid a flurry of sexual misconduct claims within the bureau that included several against senior FBI officials identified in an Associated Press investigation who quietly left the bureau with full benefits even after allegations against them were substantiated. Those claims ranged from unwanted touching and advances to coercion. In one case, an FBI assistant director retired after the inspector general’s office concluded he harassed a female subordinate and sought an improper relationship with her.
In response to AP’s reporting, the FBI announced a series of reforms, including a 24/7 tip line, intended to take a tougher stand against agents found to have committed misconduct and help accusers.
The latest settlement comes less than six months after the Justice Department announced a $138.7 million settlement with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against the sports doctor Larry Nassar.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has recently settled claims of sexual discrimination at its training academy for a staggering $22 million. This settlement comes after years of allegations of gender bias and harassment within the FBI’s training program, which has long been considered a male-dominated environment.
The claims of sexual discrimination at the FBI training academy first came to light in 2014, when a group of female trainees filed a lawsuit against the agency. The women alleged that they had been subjected to a hostile work environment, sexual harassment, and unequal treatment compared to their male counterparts. The lawsuit highlighted instances of male instructors making inappropriate comments, engaging in unwanted physical contact, and favoring male trainees over female ones.
In response to the lawsuit, the FBI launched an internal investigation into the allegations of sexual discrimination at its training academy. The investigation revealed systemic issues within the program, including a lack of accountability for instructors who engaged in inappropriate behavior and a failure to address complaints of harassment in a timely manner.
As a result of the investigation, the FBI has agreed to pay $22 million to settle the claims of sexual discrimination at its training academy. In addition to the monetary settlement, the agency has also committed to implementing new policies and training programs aimed at preventing gender bias and harassment in the future.
The settlement represents a significant victory for the women who came forward with their allegations of sexual discrimination at the FBI training academy. It sends a clear message that gender bias and harassment will not be tolerated within the agency and serves as a reminder that all employees, regardless of gender, deserve to be treated with respect and dignity in the workplace.
Moving forward, it is crucial that the FBI continues to prioritize diversity and inclusion within its ranks. By creating a culture that values and supports all employees, regardless of gender, the agency can ensure that incidents of sexual discrimination and harassment are not repeated in the future. This settlement serves as a powerful reminder that no organization is immune to issues of gender bias and discrimination, and that it is essential for all workplaces to take proactive steps to address and prevent such behavior.
