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FBI to pay $22M to settle claims of sexual discrimination at training academy

WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥 The FBI agreed Monday 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.鈥

The payout to 34 women dismissed from the FBI鈥檚 training academy in Quantico, Virginia 鈥 still subject to approval by a federal judge 鈥 would rank among the biggest lawsuit settlements in the history of the bureau.

鈥淭hese problems are pervasive within the FBI and the attitudes that created them were learned at the academy,鈥 said David J. Shaffer, the lawyer for the women. “This case will make important major changes in these attitudes.鈥

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 鈥渆xcessively targeted for correction and dismissal in tactical situations for perceived lack of judgment鈥 and subjective 鈥渟uitability.鈥

One of the women said she was admonished to 鈥渟mile more鈥 and subjected to repeated sexual advances. Another said an instructor leered at her and stared at her chest, 鈥渟ometimes while licking his lips.”

鈥淭hrough passive tolerance,” the lawsuit said, “the FBI has intentionally allowed the Good Old Boy Network to flourish unrestrained at the FBI Academy.鈥

The FBI said in a statement Monday that the bureau has 鈥渢aken significant steps over the past five years to further ensure gender equity in the training and development of all our trainees.鈥

Many of the allegations in the lawsuit were confirmed in a 2022 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, with 鈥済uaranteed placement鈥 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.鈥

Paula Bird, a lead plaintiff in the case who is now a lawyer, said that while the experience has been 鈥渄isillusioning,鈥 she was “pleased that this settlement will bring a measure of justice to the women who were unfairly dismissed.鈥

The lawsuit came amid a flurry of sexual misconduct claims within the bureau that included several against senior FBI officials identified in an 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鈥檚 office concluded he harassed a female subordinate and sought an improper relationship with her.

In response to AP’s reporting, the FBI announced a , 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 with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against the sports doctor .

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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