Washington., The FBI has agreed to pay more than $22 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that alleges that female recruits were singled out for dismissal in training and routinely harassed by instructors with sexually oriented comments about their breast size, false accusations of infidelity and need to take contraceptives “to control their moods.”
The payout to 34 women fired from the FBI training academy in Quantico, Virginia, still subject to approval by a federal judge, will rank among the largest lawsuit settlements in the bureau’s history.
“These problems are widespread within the FBI and the attitudes that created them were learned in the academy,” said David J. Shaffer, the women’s attorney. “This case will generate important changes in these attitudes.”
Filed in 2019, the lawsuit alleges that female recruits were subjected to a hostile work environment in which they were judged more harshly than their male colleagues and were “excessively discriminated against for correction and termination in tactical situations due to poor judgment.” perceived” and the subjective criteria of “suitability”.
One of the women stated that she was admonished to “smile more” and was subjected to repeated sexual advances. Another said an instructor would look at her out of the corner of his eye and look at her chest, “sometimes while licking his lips.”
“Through passive tolerance,” the lawsuit says, “the FBI has intentionally allowed the Good Guy Old Network to flourish unchecked at the FBI Academy.”
The FBI has not immediately commented on the agreement. Many of the lawsuit’s allegations were confirmed in a 2022 internal watchdog report. Men make up about three-quarters of the office’s special agents, despite efforts to diversify in recent years.
Among the provisions of the agreement were that the FBI will offer the plaintiffs the opportunity to continue their training to become agents and a “guaranteed placement,” for those who pass, in one of its three preferred field offices. The office also agreed to a review by outside experts who will work to ensure that women hired face a fair evaluation process.
Some of the women have changed careers, Shaffer said, adding that “the FBI has been deprived of some truly exceptional talent.”
Paula Bird, one of the lead plaintiffs in the case who is now an attorney, said that while the experience has been “disappointing,” she was “pleased that this settlement will bring a measure of justice to the women who were wrongfully terminated.”
The lawsuit came amid a wave of allegations of sexual misconduct within the office, including several against senior FBI officials identified in an Associated Press investigation who quietly left the office with full benefits even after the allegations in against them were corroborated. Those claims ranged from unwanted touching and advances to coercion. In one case, an FBI deputy director retired after the inspector general’s office concluded that he harassed a female subordinate and sought an inappropriate relationship with her.
In response to AP reporting, the FBI announced a series of reforms, including a 24/7 tip line, intended to take a tougher stance against agents who have committed crimes. misconduct and assisting accusers.
Less than six months ago, the Justice Department announced a $138.7 million settlement with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of mishandling sexual assault allegations against sports doctor Larry Nassar.
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– 2024-10-01 17:27:51
