FBI settles sexual harassment, discrimination lawsuit for $22 million

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has agreed to pay more than $22 million to settle a lawsuit brought against the Federal Bureau of Investigation by female recruits who were kicked out of training academy and subjected to sexual harassment.

The class action lawsuit was filed by 34 women fired from Quantico who claim instructors singled them out because of their gender and routinely harassed them with sexually charged comments in a hostile work environment.

“Through passive tolerance,” the lawsuit says, “the FBI intentionally allowed the Good Old Boy Network to flourish unhindered at the FBI Academy.”

The plaintiffs also allege that they were fired for “alleged lack of judgment” in tactical training situations and vague “suitability” concerns.

If approved by a federal judge, the settlement would be one of the largest in the office’s history.

“These problems are pervasive at the FBI and the attitudes that caused them were learned in the academy,” said David J. Shaffer, the women’s attorney. “This case will fundamentally change those attitudes.”

Part of the severance package includes the opportunity to continue in the training academy and, upon successful completion of the program, “guaranteed housing” at one of their preferred field locations. However, many of the plaintiffs have pursued different careers since the lawsuit was originally filed in 2019.

Earlier this year, the Justice Department agreed to pay more than $138 million to USA Gymnastics victims and Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar, who accused the FBI of negligence.

_____