The Justice Department has settled a lawsuit with two former F.B.I. officials, Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, who accused the Trump administration of violating their privacy by sharing their texts criticizing former President Donald J. Trump with the news media. The settlement includes a financial agreement, although the exact amount has not been disclosed in court filings. Peter Strzok received $1.2 million as part of the settlement.
The controversy began when the Justice Department allowed reporters to review the texts between Strzok and Page before handing them over to Congress in December 2017. Peter Strzok, a former senior F.B.I. counterintelligence agent, and Lisa Page, a bureau lawyer, exchanged inflammatory messages related to the investigation into the Trump campaign’s alleged ties to Russia in 2016. These texts were used by Republicans to undermine the investigation.
This settlement is expected to upset former President Trump, who has long criticized Strzok and Page, accusing them of leading a biased investigation against him. Despite this settlement, Strzok is still pursuing other claims against the Justice Department, alleging violations of his constitutional rights and politically motivated termination. He is seeking reinstatement to his position to retire with full benefits.
Strzok’s lawyer, Aitan D. Goelman, expressed satisfaction with the settlement but noted that they would continue to pursue the remaining claims. He emphasized the importance of addressing the government’s treatment of his client and protecting the privacy interests of all government employees.
This resolution marks a significant development in a long-standing legal battle that has been central to the political discourse surrounding the Trump administration’s handling of the Russia investigation. The settlement reflects a compromise between the former F.B.I. officials and the Justice Department, bringing at least some closure to the contentious issue of privacy violations and political motivations within the government.