Lawmakers in Democratic Party seek Justice Department's assurance against Boeing's evasion of criminal charges tied to lethal 737 MAXaccidents.
The United States Department of Justice has proposed a tentative non-prosecution agreement with Boeing, potentially allowing the aircraft manufacturer to avoid criminal charges in connection with the fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. The proposed deal, valued at over $1.1 billion, includes a fund of $445 million for the families of the victims.
However, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have urged the Department of Justice to prosecute Boeing, accusing the company of misleading regulators about the 737 MAX jet. They have also criticized a previous tentative deal that would prevent Boeing from admitting guilt. In their statement, Warren and Blumenthal asserted that such a deal would be a miscarriage of justice, given the potential consequences of Boeing's actions.
The new fund, in addition to a $500 million payment made by Boeing to a victims' families' fund in 2021, is part of a settlement to avoid prosecution. Last year, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge following the crashes but is now reluctant to do so, according to prosecutors. This reversal came after a judge rejected a previous plea agreement in December.
The deal has been met with criticism from lawyers representing some of the victims' families. Lawyer Paul Cassell, for example, argued that allowing Boeing to escape a trial or guilty plea would be an injustice. He also noted that the deal would forego independent oversight, going against broader efforts to ensure the safety of aircraft manufacturing.
The proposed non-prosecution agreement could end a scheduled June 23 trial regarding allegations that Boeing misled the Federal Aviation Administration about a critical flight control system on the 737 MAX. The FAA has been scrutinizing Boeing since January 2024, following a mid-air emergency involving a missing MAX 9 and a door plug near Portland, Oregon. The FAA has since capped production at 38 planes per month.
In response to the decision, Javier de Luis, whose sister died in the Ethiopia crash, stated that the move could be interpreted as a suggestion to companies to prioritize profit over safety. He also expressed concerns about the absence of an independent monitor, arguing that such oversight was necessary to prevent future tragedies.
The Justice Department's decision regarding the non-prosecution agreement now rests with U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor in Fort Worth, Texas. Lawyers are expected to present a briefing schedule by June 4.
[1] Boeing CEO, GE Aerospace CEO celebra... https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/boeing-ceo-ge-aerospace-ceo-thank-president-trump-historic-qatar-airways-order[2] Justice Department strikes tentative deal allowing Boeing to escape criminal charges in fatal 737 MAX crashes https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-justice-department-threatens-trial-if-boeing-doesnt-take-plea-2022-05-19/[3] Justice Department says Boeing breached 2021 agreement https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-justice-dept-says-boeing-breached-2021-agreement-probe-737-max-2022-05-20/
- The proposed non-prosecution agreement between Boeing and the Department of Justice, regarding the 2018 and 2019 fatal 737 MAX crashes, has sparked heated debates in the realms of policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, as senators, victims' families, and lawyers question the justice and safety implications of allowing Boeing to avoid criminal charges.
- The criticisms of the proposed deal extend to the domains of crime-and-justice and aircraft manufacturing, with concerns that a non-prosecution agreement could set a dangerous precedent for corporations, potentially encouraging them to prioritize profit over safety in the markets.
