In a late-night development on Sunday, July 7, aerospace giant Boeing conceded to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge, a move that directly links the company to two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max jets.
This admission of guilt brands Boeing a criminal felon, a label that could potentially undermine its chances of securing future government contracts.
According to Straight Arrow News, the plea agreement, brokered with the Department of Justice, will see Boeing part with an additional $243.6 million in fines. This comes on top of a previously paid fine of the same amount. Furthermore, Boeing has committed to investing a minimum of $455 million in safety and compliance programs.
This plea deal is the result of the DOJ's discovery that Boeing had breached a 2021 agreement. This agreement was put in place to ensure the implementation of safety changes following the catastrophic crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019, which claimed the lives of 346 individuals.
However, the plea deal is not yet set in stone, as it still requires judicial approval. The families of the victims have expressed their intent to petition the judge to reject the deal. Their preference is for Boeing to face a trial and potentially harsher penalties, a testament to the gravity of the tragedy and the quest for justice.
Login