FBI Says it Can’t Reinstate Agent Until 2015

The FBI says a Virginia man who won a discrimination lawsuit against the bureau can’t be reinstated as a special agent until 2015 because of budget cuts.

Justin Slaby of Stafford sued the FBI. The Army veteran who lost his left hand in a training accident said the agency wrongly kicked him out of its training academy because of his prosthetic hand, even though he was otherwise qualified.

A jury agreed and last week awarded him $75,000. But a judge must decide whether Slaby will be reinstated as a special agent.

An FBI official testified Wednesday in federal court in Alexandria that the bureau shut down its training academy because of sequestration cuts and Slaby will have to wait until 2015, when classes are expected to resume.

Slaby wants immediate reinstatement.