Former FBI special agent Peter Strzok has reached a $1.2 million settlement with the Justice Department over claims that his privacy rights were violated when the department released text messages he exchanged with former FBI employee Lisa Page. These messages, which were critical of former President Donald Trump, were made public during the Trump administration. Strzok’s lawyer, Aitan D. Goelman, described the settlement as a significant step in addressing what he termed the “unfair and highly politicized treatment” of Strzok and said it also serves to protect the privacy interests of all government employees.
While the settlement resolves Strzok’s privacy allegations, his lawsuit over his firing remains unresolved. Strzok contends that his dismissal in 2018 was a result of political pressure and violated his rights to due process and free speech. He is currently seeking back pay and additional compensation related to his employment. The Justice Department has declined to comment on the settlement but has stated that it intends to continue defending against Strzok’s claims related to his termination.
Strzok, who was part of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team and previously worked on the Hillary Clinton email investigation, became a focal point of controversy after his anti-Trump texts were discovered. Following the discovery, he was removed from the Mueller probe and later escorted from FBI headquarters. Strzok has expressed regret for the texts but maintained that he expected them to remain private.
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