CNN
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The FBI said Monday that a female recruit was singled out for termination during training and was routinely harassed by instructors with sexually charged comments about her breast size, false allegations of infidelity, and her need to take medication. The company has agreed to pay more than $22 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that it was Contraception “to control mood.”
The payments to 34 women fired from the FBI’s training school in Quantico, Virginia, must be approved by a federal judge and would be one of the largest legal settlements in the agency’s history.
“These problems are pervasive within the FBI, and the attitudes that created them were learned at the academy,” said the women’s attorney, David J. Shafer. “This case will bring about an important and significant change in these attitudes.”
The lawsuit, filed in 2019, alleges that female new employees were exposed to a hostile work environment where they were judged more harshly than their male co-workers, and were subject to “tactical circumstances that resulted in a perceived lack of judgment” and subjective ” The lawsuit alleges that employees were excessively subject to remediation or dismissal based on their suitability. ” standard.
One woman said she was told to “smile more” and repeatedly made sexual advances. Another student said the instructor would peek at her and stare at her breasts, “sometimes licking his lips.”
“Through passive tolerance, the FBI has intentionally allowed the Good Old Boy Network to flourish without limit at the FBI Academy,” the complaint states.
The FBI said in a statement Monday that the agency has “taken significant steps over the past five years to further ensure gender parity in the training and development of all trainees.”
Many of the allegations in the lawsuit were confirmed in a 2022 internal monitoring report. Despite efforts to diversify in recent years, men still make up about three-quarters of the agency’s special agents.
Among the terms of the settlement, the FBI will provide plaintiffs with the opportunity to continue their training to become agents and will offer successful applicants a “placement” in one of the top three field offices of their choice. It included a guarantee. The department also agreed to a review by an external expert who seeks to ensure that female recruits face a fair evaluation process.
Some of the women have moved on to other careers, Schaefer said, adding that “the FBI has stripped itself of some truly great talent.”
Paula Byrd, the lead plaintiff in the case and now an attorney, said she was “disillusioned” by the experience, but was “pleased that this settlement brings some measure of justice to the women who were wrongfully terminated.” he said.
The lawsuit follows a spate of sexual misconduct accusations within the bureau, including those against high-ranking FBI officials identified in an Associated Press investigation. It was revealed that he quietly retired after receiving his benefits. Those allegations ranged from unwanted touching and advances to coercion. In one case, an FBI deputy director resigned after the Office of the Inspector General concluded that he harassed a female subordinate and sought an inappropriate relationship with her.
Following the Associated Press report, the FBI is taking a tougher line against agents found to have committed misconduct, including a 24/7 tip line aimed at assisting whistleblowers. announced a series of reforms.
The settlement comes after the Justice Department announced a $138.7 million settlement with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling sexual assault allegations against sports doctor Larry Nassar. It was established in less than half a year.
