The U.S. Justice Department announced a deal with Boeing, allowing the company to avoid prosecution related to two deadly crashes of its 737 Max aircraft that resulted in 346 fatalities. The non-prosecution agreement prevents Boeing from being labeled a felon and sidesteps an imminent trial, a move that has faced criticism from victims’ families who have long sought accountability from the company. The DOJ described the agreement as a fair resolution that promotes public interest, ensuring accountability while minimizing litigation risks.
Boeing is required to invest or pay over $1.1 billion, which includes a criminal fine of $487.2 million, credits from previous payments, a new fund for crash victims totaling $444.5 million, and additional funds dedicated to compliance and safety improvements. Boeing has refrained from commenting on the agreement, which comes as the company struggles to mitigate the fallout from the crashes, including a nearly two-year grounding of its aircraft globally.
Family members of crash victims have vocally opposed previous settlements, arguing they provided insufficient accountability and expressing a desire for corporate leaders to face trial. Following the DOJ’s announcement, some relatives criticized the new deal, calling it an unprecedented and problematic resolution in the context of what they describe as the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history.
The settlement follows a prior agreement that shielded Boeing from prosecution in exchange for a $2.51 billion payment, intended to address issues related to Boeing’s misleading claims about its flight-control system, implicated in the crashes. Family lawyers are prepared to challenge the new settlement, reflecting a persistent call for more stringent accountability from Boeing.
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