September 30, 2024
The FBI has agreed to pay out more than $22 million after 34 women accused the agency of discrimination at its academy.
The FBI has settled a class action lawsuit. On Monday, lawyers representing 34 women in a gender discrimination suit against the FBI announced that the agency agreed to pay $22.6 million to settle claims that women were treated unfairly at its training academy. The settlement agreement also allows eligible class members to seek reinstatement into the FBI’s training program.
The settlement agreement will become effective only after approval by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
“I am extremely pleased that this settlement will bring a measure of justice to the women who were unfairly dismissed,” Paula Bird, a plaintiff in the case, said. “Also, I hope that through this settlement the FBI will implement changes that will give women going through agent training in the future a fair shot at their dream career.”
Christine Webber, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, added, “Through [the women’s] determination and leadership, and what we believe is a genuine desire by the FBI to turn the page on the past history of discrimination in new agent training, the parties have reached a settlement agreement that will provide a measure of relief for what these women experienced.”
Read Women to Win $22.6M Settlement in FBI Training Discrimination Case.