The U.S. Justice Department is pressuring Boeing to plead guilty to criminal fraud in connection with the 737 Max jetliners’ crashes that left 346 people dead. Prosecutors presented a proposed offer to the company, which includes pleading guilty and appointing an independent monitor to ensure compliance with anti-fraud laws. The Justice Department believes Boeing violated a previous agreement and misled regulators regarding the 737 Max’s safety.
Family members of crash victims were informed about the plea offer, sparking anger and disappointment among them. They feel that Boeing should face a criminal trial and be held accountable for the lives lost. Some families plan to ask a judge to reject the plea deal if Boeing agrees to it.
The plea deal would prevent U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor from increasing Boeing’s sentence and potentially jeopardize the company’s federal contractor status. However, waivers could be granted to keep Boeing eligible for government contracts. Boeing previously paid a fine as part of a settlement in 2021 and could face a similar penalty as part of the new plea offer.
The Justice Department’s plea offer also includes a monitor to oversee Boeing’s compliance, but the family members expressed discontent with the process of selecting the monitor. Additionally, there is no indication that current or former Boeing executives will face prosecution.
The impact of a plea deal on other investigations into Boeing, such as the recent incident involving a door plug on a Max 9 aircraft, remains uncertain. It is a contentious issue that has left crash victims’ families frustrated and seeking accountability from the aerospace giant.
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