The U.S. Department of Justice has agreed to a $22.6 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit involving 34 women who alleged they were unfairly dismissed from the FBI’s agent training academy due to gender discrimination. The settlement was disclosed in a court filing on Monday and must receive final approval from a federal judge in Washington, D.C.
Allegations of widespread bias
The 2019 lawsuit claimed that the FBI engaged in a systematic practice of removing female trainees from its prestigious academy in Quantico, Virginia. The plaintiffs argued that they were targeted because of their sex, facing discriminatory practices during their training evaluations, which ultimately led to their forced dismissal.
Justice Department response
As part of the settlement, the Justice Department did not admit to any wrongdoing but agreed to compensate the women involved. If approved, this would mark a significant resolution in the ongoing efforts to address gender discrimination within the federal law enforcement agency.
The case highlights broader concerns over equality and fair treatment within the FBI, a key component of the U.S. Justice Department