FBI settles $22M discrimination lawsuit with female trainees

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agreed to pay more than $22 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by 34 women who alleged sexual discrimination and harassment at its training academy in Quantico, Virginia. The settlement resolved claims that female recruits were routinely subjected to inappropriate behavior and dismissed unfairly from the academy, in violation of their rights to equal treatment and opportunity.

Filed in 2019, the lawsuit detailed a pattern of misconduct by instructors, who allegedly made inappropriate comments about female recruits’ appearances, including remarks about their breast size and suggestions that they take contraception to control their moods.

Women were also falsely accused of infidelity and told to “smile more.”

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The lawsuit claimed that these actions created a hostile work environment in which female trainees were judged more harshly than their male counterparts, leading to an unfair rate of dismissal among women.

A 2022 internal FBI report largely confirmed these allegations, lending weight to the plaintiffs’ claims.

As part of the settlement, the FBI agreed to allow the women to resume training, with the guarantee of placement in one of their top three field office choices if they successfully complete the program. In addition, outside experts will be brought in to review the academy’s evaluation processes to ensure gender equity moving forward.

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This case is part of a broader reckoning within the FBI, which has faced multiple claims of sexual misconduct and discrimination involving senior officials in recent years.

The $22 million settlement comes on the heels of a $138 million agreement between the Justice Department and survivors of sports doctor Larry Nassar. Survivors accused the FBI of mishandling their sexual abuse allegations.

In response to these mounting issues, the FBI has introduced reforms, including a 24-hour tip line to report misconduct. Currently, men make up about 75% of the bureau’s special agents, reflecting ongoing gender disparity within the organization.