JPMorgan paid dozens of women less than men: lawsuit

JPMorgan Chase paid female employees less than their male counterparts, according to a Labor Department lawsuit filed Wednesday that seeks to halt new federal contracts with the massive bank until it compensates the women.

Since at least May 2012, JPMorgan paid at least 93 women employed as lead application developers, project managers and technology directors in its Investment Bank, Technology & Market Strategies unit less than comparable men employed in the same positions, said the suit.

The complaint says JPMorgan failed to make sure the compensation systems for these employees was fair. The agency's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) also seeks relief for the female workers, including lost pay and salary adjustments.

The bank, in a statement, said it is committed to diversity in the workplace and that it tried to work with the Justice Department to resolve the matter. While it says it is disappointed OFCCP chose to file the suit, "we look forward to presenting our evidence to a neutral decision maker.”

As a federal contractor, it's illegal for JPMorgan Chase to discriminate in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Oracle sued by Labor Department for paying white men more

The suit came on the same day J.P. Morgan agreed to a $55 million settlement with the government over allegations that it discriminated against "thousands" of African American and Hispanic mortgage borrowers. The bank's independent brokers charged minority borrowers higher mortgage interest rates and fees compared to "similarly situated white borrowers," said the government lawsuit filed in New York federal court.

The two suits take some shine from recent accolades received by the bank for its diversity efforts. CEO Jamie Dimon has said maintaining a diversity and inclusive workplace "is not only the smart thing to do — it's the right thing to do."