The Federal Bureau of Investigation has agreed to pay more than $22 million to settle a lawsuit brought against it by female recruits who were kicked out of the training academy and subject to sexual harassment.

The class-action lawsuit was filed by 34 women who were dismissed from Quantico and allege that instructors singled them out over their gender and routinely harassed them with sexually charged comments in a hostile work environment.

“Through passive tolerance,” the lawsuit said, “the FBI has intentionally allowed the Good Old Boy Network to flourish unrestrained at the FBI Academy.”

The plaintiffs also claim they were dismissed over “perceived lack of judgment” in tactical training situations and vague “suitability” concerns.

If accepted by a federal judge, the settlement would be one of the largest in the bureau’s history.

“These problems are pervasive within the FBI and the attitudes that created them were learned at the academy,” said David J. Shaffer, the lawyer for the women. “This case will make important major changes in these attitudes.”

Part of the settlement includes a chance to continue in the training academy and “guaranteed placement” at one of their preferred field offices if they successfully complete the program. However, many of the plaintiffs have moved onto different careers since originally filing the lawsuit in 2019.

Earlier this year, the Justice Department agreed to pay more than $138 million to victims of USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar who accused the FBI of negligence.

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