The U.S. Justice Department announced a non-prosecution agreement with Boeing, allowing the company to avoid charges related to two fatal crashes of its 737 Max planes that resulted in 346 deaths. This agreement spares Boeing from being labeled a felon and from a trial set for next month, which families of crash victims had long sought. The DOJ deemed the agreement a “fair and just resolution” that serves the public interest, stating it provides accountability while mitigating the risks and uncertainties of a trial.
As part of the agreement, Boeing will pay or invest over $1.1 billion, which includes a criminal fine of $487.2 million (with a credit for $243.6 million from previous dealings) and $444.5 million for a new fund for crash victims’ families. Boeing has faced scrutiny over its handling of the 737 Max, particularly after the aircraft was grounded for nearly two years following the crashes. Families of victims criticized past settlements as insufficient and called for more accountability and executive trials.
The agreement has sparked mixed reactions from victim families; while some support it, others plan to oppose it, arguing that it sets a concerning precedent. Previous filings revealed that Boeing had violated earlier agreements by failing to implement a comprehensive compliance program. This recent settlement follows a pattern of earlier deferred prosecution agreements, which had allowed Boeing to avoid trial by paying fines and setting up victim funds.
Boeing’s controversial past includes accusations of deceiving regulators about the aircraft’s flight-control systems, a central issue in the crashes. While companies like Boeing hold significant government contracts, the ongoing discourse around accountability continues to be contentious among the crash victims’ families and the broader public.
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