Peter Strzok Finalizes $1.2 Million Settlement with DOJ over Privacy Act Claims

On behalf of former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent Peter P. Strzok, Zuckerman Spaeder LLP has finalized a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over claims that DOJ violated Mr. Strzok’s privacy rights. Mr. Strzok was terminated by the FBI in 2018 after his private text exchanges were made public. 

The settlement, finalized today, resolves the allegation that the DOJ violated the Privacy Act when it publicly released Mr. Strzok's private text messages, which were critical of then-presidential candidate, Donald Trump. The settlement, in which the government agrees to pay Mr. Strzok $1.2 million, excludes from its terms Plaintiff’s claims that he was unlawfully removed from the FBI in violation of his rights under the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment and in violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.

Zuckerman Spaeder partner Aitan D. Goelman, who leads the legal team representing Mr. Strzok, stated, “This outcome is a critical step forward in addressing the government’s unfair and highly politicized treatment of Pete. As important as it is for him, it also vindicates the privacy interests of all government employees. We will continue to litigate Pete’s constitutional claims to ensure that, in the future, public servants are protected from adverse employment actions motivated by partisan politics.”

Mr. Strzok served his country with distinction for 25 years, including in the U.S. Army and as an FBI counterintelligence expert who handled some of the Bureau’s most significant cases. He was one of the initial agents on an FBI team that cracked a case and helped dismantle a ring of illegal Russian agents. Mr. Strzok also oversaw the investigation of Edward Snowden and dozens of other spies, and identified a car abandoned by several of the 9/11 terrorists in Boston.

Zuckerman Spaeder will continue to pursue First Amendment and due process claims for Mr. Strzok’s reinstatement, back pay, and other equitable relief – each of which was identified in his 2019 lawsuit. 

Mr. Strzok is represented by Mr. Goelman, along with Zuckerman Spaeder attorney Christopher R. MacColl, and Heller, Huron, Chertkof & Salzman, PLLC partner Rick Salzman. The lawsuit is Peter P. Strzok v. Garland et al.; 1:19-cv-02367.