May 30, 2019

16 female former recruits sue FBI for sexual harassment and discrimination

Photo: Eric Baradat/AFP/Getty Images

16 female former FBI recruits sued the bureau on Wednesday over male instructors allegedly creating a hostile work environment through sexual harassment, inappropriate jokes, racial discrimination and sexual misconduct, the New York Times reports.

Details: The women say that for them, this behavior began in 2015. The suit accuses former FBI director James Comey of dismissing one woman's complaints. The lawsuit requests a review of the FBI's training evaluation process, more female training instructors and $300,000 each for subsequent emotional stress.

By the numbers: Women currently make up only a fifth of the FBI's agents, as of October 2018. The bureau says more women are applying to be agents — up from 22% in 2017 to 36% this year.

Go deeper: Bill Barr orders investigation into LGBTQ discrimination at DOJ

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