WASHINGTON — A D.C. federal judge on Wednesday shot down a request for a new civil trial for the FBI’s highest-ranking Arab American agent, who claimed the agency retaliated against him after he filed a discrimination complaint, the Blog of Legal Times reported.
Agent Bassem Youssef, a supervisory agent and unit chief in the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, claimed at trial in September that the FBI discriminated against him and delayed his career advancement because he is Egyptian and that he filed the discrimination complaint, according to the ruling by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.
Specifically, Youssef contended that the bureau blocked him from participating in inspections of FBI offices at a certain juncture in his career. The inspections provide a training opportunity that leads to inspection certification, which can be helpful in getting promotions. He eventually obtained the certification, but he claimed two years later than he should have.
Justice Department lawyers claimed he was denied the inspection opportunities at one point because he had transferred to a new unit and missed too much work.
The jury found Youssef had not proven his case and judge consequently ordered that “costs be taxed against Youssef.”
The judge in denying a new trial ruled Wednesday that he “was not actually harmed” by the denial to go on certain inspections in 2005.
The FBI has sought reimbursement in the case for $32,431.46 in costs; $446 for fees for service of summons and subpoenas; $615.50 in copying fees; $5,924.66 in witness fees and $25,445.30 fees for transcripts.
The judge ruled Thursday that the agent should pay some costs and not others, but that the Justice Department “should submit a revised bill of costs” excluding certain expenditures.
