FBI agrees to pay $22 million to settle sexual discrimination claims at training academy

The FBI will pay over $22 million to settle a class-action lawsuit claiming female recruits faced discrimination and harassment at its training academy. The settlement, pending federal judge approval, addresses allegations of unfair treatment and a hostile environment. The lawsuit, filed in 2019, highlighted that women were dismissed at higher rates than men and faced inappropriate comments from instructors. A 2022 report confirmed many of these claims, noting that women made up 46% of dismissals despite being only 25% of trainees. As part of the settlement, the FBI will allow the plaintiffs to continue training and ensure fair evaluations for female recruits. The bureau will also undergo a review by outside experts to improve the training process.