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Tentative $24 Million Settlement Reached to Settle Race Bias Claim Filed By Secret Service Agents


In late January, it was announced that a settlement had been reached in a suit, Moore v. Johnson, brought by current and former African-American Secret Service agents who alleged race discrimination by the government for failure to promote these agents from 1995 to 2005.  The agents claimed that the Secret Service engaged in a pattern or practice of racial discrimination in making promotions and that the Merit Promotion Plan had a disparate impact against African-American agents.

Under the settlement, the government would pay $24 million which include attorney's fees, costs, and expenses.  According to the settlement, no plaintiff or member of the class would receive more than $300,000.00.  The agreement also provides for nonmonetary relief aimed at revising the selection process for promotions (which could put in place practices and procedures that would eliminate any potential bias).

At this time, the Court must still approve the settlement, although there is no timetable for when this would occur.


For additional information:  https://www.law360.com/articles/886007/gov-t-secret-service-agents-settle-race-bias-suit-for-24m

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