The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a $22.6 million settlement with 34 women who claim they were wrongly dismissed from the FBI’s training academy due to their sex.

The women alleged that they were unfairly evaluated and eliminated from the program, despite performing equally or better than their male counterparts, and this settlement resolves a class action lawsuit filed in 2019 aiming to address claims of widespread sex discrimination at the FBI’s agent training academy, as Newsmax reports.

The lawsuit stems from allegations that female trainees were disproportionately dismissed from the FBI’s training program, even when their test performances matched or exceeded those of male trainees.

Some women also reported facing sexist jokes, comments, and sexual harassment during their time in the program. The plaintiffs argued that the FBI violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in the workplace.

FBI Denies Wrongdoing, But Implements Reforms

Although the FBI has denied any wrongdoing, the agency agreed to the settlement and acknowledged the need for reforms. As part of the settlement, the FBI will hire external experts to review its trainee evaluation processes and ensure fairness in the future. The agency also noted that it has taken significant steps in recent years to address gender inequities within its ranks.

Christine Webber, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said, “The settlement reflects 'a genuine desire by the FBI to turn the page on the past history of discrimination in new agent training.’”

The settlement, which is pending approval by a federal judge, offers eligible class members the opportunity to seek reinstatement in the FBI’s training program. This step is part of a broader effort to correct the alleged systemic bias against female trainees.

Watchdog Report Highlights Gender Disparities

The lawsuit was bolstered by a 2022 report from an internal watchdog, which found that female trainees were more likely to be dismissed than their male counterparts. The report also revealed that women were frequently cited for conduct deemed unsuitable for an FBI agent, contributing to their dismissal from the program.

In response to these findings, the FBI has committed to making its evaluation processes more transparent and fair. The external experts tasked with overseeing the program will play a key role in ensuring that future trainees, regardless of gender, are evaluated based on their performance rather than perceived biases.

Settlement Includes Provisions for Reinstatement

The settlement’s provisions extend beyond financial compensation. In addition to the $22.6 million, the agreement allows women affected by the alleged discriminatory practices to reapply for the training program. This could provide a path forward for those whose careers were derailed by what they described as an unfair and biased system.

Despite these developments, the percentage of female special agents in the FBI remains low. As of April, women made up less than one-quarter of the FBI’s special agent workforce, a figure that underscores the ongoing challenges faced by women in the agency.

Title VII Claims Central to Lawsuit

Central to the lawsuit was the claim that the FBI violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of sex, and the plaintiffs argued that their dismissal from the training academy constituted a clear violation of their rights under this legislation.

The plaintiffs also emphasized that their performance during training was comparable to or better than that of their male peers, yet they were still dismissed. This discrepancy led to accusations of a biased evaluation process that disproportionately impacted women.

Steps Toward Gender Equity

While the FBI has made strides toward addressing gender bias, this case highlights the broader issue of gender equity in law enforcement. The agency’s commitment to hiring external experts to oversee the evaluation process is seen as a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen whether these changes will result in a more inclusive environment for female trainees.

The settlement marks a significant moment in the push for gender equity at the FBI, as the agency grapples with the legacy of discrimination and works toward a more equitable future.

Conclusion: A Step Toward Accountability and Reform

The DOJ’s $22.6 million settlement with the 34 female plaintiffs signals an acknowledgment of the need for accountability in addressing sex bias within the FBI.

While the agency denies wrongdoing, the settlement offers financial compensation, the potential for reinstatement, and key reforms aimed at ensuring fairness in the trainee evaluation process.

As external experts are brought in to oversee these reforms, the hope is that future FBI trainees will be evaluated based on merit, free from the biases that the plaintiffs in this case experienced.