In a significant move towards addressing the government’s alleged politicization of their personal information, former FBI agent Peter Strzok and former FBI lawyer Lisa Page have reached a settlement with the Biden DOJ over claims of Privacy Act violations. The texts exchanged between the two in 2015 and 2016 were released by the Trump DOJ to reporters for review in December 2017, sparking controversy and criticism from Republicans who used them to discredit the investigation into the Trump campaign’s possible ties to Russia.
According to court documents obtained by the NY Times, as part of the settlement, the government agreed to pay the former officials an undisclosed sum, with Strzok reportedly receiving $1.2 million from his law firm. The same report indicates that Page will receive $800,000 as part of her own Privacy Act settlement.
In a statement, Peter Strzok’s attorney, Aitan D. Goelman, emphasized the importance of the settlement, stating it “is a critical step forward in addressing the government’s unfair and highly politicized treatment of Pete.” He also argued that the settlement vindicates the privacy interests of all government employees.
Similarly, Lisa Page’s attorney, Amy Jeffress, expressed satisfaction with the settlement, asserting that the evidence clearly supported the argument that releasing the texts to the press was against the law and done for partisan political purposes. The settlement documents reveal that the U.S. government is not admitting or conceding legal liability in either case.
In response to the settlements, Strzok’s attorneys have announced their intention to continue pursuing First Amendment and due process claims related to his reinstatement, back pay, and other forms of equitable relief as outlined in his 2019 lawsuit. The ongoing developments serve as a reminder of the complex interplay between government, politics, and personal privacy in today’s highly polarized environment.