The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has agreed to pay more than $22 million to a female recruit who sued the agency for alleged sex discrimination and harassment at a training school in Virginia.
class action lawsuit lawsuit, submitted In 2019, dozens of women were fired from the Quantico Law Enforcement Academy because of their gender and were “routinely” harassed by instructors, the Associated Press reported.
The complaint alleges that the harassment included inappropriate sexual advances, comments about the new employee's breast size, false allegations of infidelity, and telling the new employee to take contraceptive pills to “control her mood.” It included things to do.
The FBI announced Monday that it would make payments to 34 accusers in the largest settlement agreement in history, but the measure still needs approval from a federal judge, according to the Associated Press.
“These problems are pervasive within the FBI, and the attitudes that created them were learned at the academy,” said David J. Shafer, an attorney for the plaintiffs. “This case will bring about an important and significant change in these attitudes.”
According to female recruits, they are subject to a hostile work environment and subjective standards of “fitness,'' where they are “disproportionately targeted for remediation or dismissal in tactical situations that are perceived as a lack of judgment.'' He was said to have been suffering.
“Through passive toleration, the FBI has intentionally allowed the Good Old Boy Network to flourish without limit at the FBI Academy,” the complaint alleges.
While the FBI agreed to pay millions of dollars, it said in a statement Monday obtained by The Associated Press that it had made significant efforts over the past five years to further ensure gender equity in the training and development of all trainees. We have taken measures.”
The settlement also includes the opportunity for terminated recruits to rejoin FBI training with a “guaranteed placement” in any of their preferred field offices for those who meet the requirements. are.
The FBI also “agreed to a review by outside experts who work to ensure female recruits face a fair evaluation process,” the newspaper reported.
Some women have already moved on to other fields, Schaefer said, and it's too late to return.
“The FBI stripped itself of some truly great talent,” the attorney said.
2020 investigation carried out The Associated Press has identified “several” FBI officials who “quietly” resigned with full pay following allegations of sexual misconduct. The accused officials also maintained anonymity, reportedly “allowing them to enter the private sector or even remain in law enforcement.”
The charges against them included unnecessary touching, sexual advances, and coercion of women within the department.
“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,” the newspaper cited as an example.
Payment agreement takes place just a few months after agreement $138.7 million settlement and victim The FBI failed to intervene and stop the sexual abuse, leading to charges against disgraced former Team USA Dr. Larry Nassar.
