Boeing's Plea Deal Sparks Outrage

A lawyer for families of victims from two Boeing 737 Max crashes claims the US government is offering Boeing a lenient plea deal. The deal, which includes a small fine, probation, and safety audits, has drawn strong objections from the victims' families.

 

Paul Cassell, representing the families, stated he received information about the deal "directly from the Justice Department." He expressed that the proposed agreement undermines justice for the 346 victims of the crashes.

 

Boeing has not commented on the matter, while the Justice Department (DoJ) declined to provide a statement. Last month, US prosecutors recommended criminal charges against Boeing, citing violations of a 2021 settlement related to the crashes.

 

The crashes, involving Indonesia's Lion Air in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines in March 2019, were both linked to faulty flight control systems. Following these incidents, Boeing agreed to a $2.5 billion settlement in 2021 and promised to create a compliance system to prevent future fraud. However, the DoJ stated in May that Boeing breached the deal by failing to implement the agreed-upon compliance and ethics program.

 

Mr. Cassell emphasized that the families seek more substantial penalties, including the prosecution of Boeing's top executives and a $24.8 billion fine for what he described as "the deadliest corporate crime in US history."

 

The Justice Department has until July 7 to decide whether to revive a dormant criminal fraud charge against Boeing. This charge was initially brought in 2021 when Boeing admitted to misleading air-safety regulators about the 737 Max's safety features.

 

Earlier this year, Boeing faced further scrutiny when a door panel fell off a new 737 Max plane during an Alaska Airlines flight, highlighting ongoing concerns about the aircraft's safety.

 

Boeing's Continued Safety Issues

In addition to the previous incidents, recent mechanical failures have kept Boeing in the spotlight. Despite efforts to regain public trust, these ongoing issues raise questions about the company's commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

 

The outcome of the Justice Department's decision will significantly impact Boeing's future and the pursuit of justice for the families affected by these tragedies.