Former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page have reached settlements with the Justice Department, resulting in a total payout of $2 million in their lawsuits related to the department's release of their text messages in 2018.
According to settlement agreements, Strzok will receive $1.2 million, while Page, who served as an FBI lawyer, will be paid $800,000.
The settlements were finalized in court filings on Friday, with Strzok and Page alleging that the Justice Department violated the Privacy Act by disclosing their texts criticizing Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign to the media.
In a statement provided by her attorneys, Page expressed her hope that justice institutions would refrain from politicizing the lives of their employees in the future.
Strzok, who played a senior role on special counsel Robert Mueller's team until his removal following the revelation of his texts with Page, had an extramarital relationship with her. Page, who briefly served on Mueller's team, resigned from her FBI lawyer position after the messages were uncovered.
The release of the texts became a political issue during Donald Trump's presidency, with Trump using them to criticize the Russia investigation.
Strzok still has ongoing claims against the department regarding his termination during the Trump administration.
Strzok's attorney, Aitan Goelman, emphasized the importance of the settlement in addressing the government's treatment of his client and protecting the privacy interests of all government employees. Goelman stated that they would continue to litigate Strzok's constitutional claims to prevent adverse employment actions driven by partisan politics in the future.
