FBI settles $22 million gender discrimination lawsuit

The FBI has agreed to pay more than $22 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging gender discrimination and harassment of female recruits during training. The payout to 34 laid-off women is pending federal judge approval and is one of the largest in the agency’s history.

Attorney David J. Shaffer, who represents the women, stated that the lawsuit, filed in 2019, is intended to address widespread problems within the FBI’s academy environment. Female recruits were more severely criticized and dismissed based on subjective criteria.

The settlement includes provisions for the plaintiffs to resume training and guarantees placement in one of their three preferred field offices if they succeed. Additionally, an external assessment process will ensure fair assessments for female recruits in the future.

(With input from agencies.)