Justice Department Reaches Deal To Let Boeing Avoid Prosecution

The U.S. Justice Department has reached a deal that will let Boeing avoid criminal prosecution over allegations it misled regulators before two fatal 737 Max crashes, according to court documents recently filed, Associated Press (AP) reporter Alana Durkin Richer reported.

Boeing will pay or invest more than $1.1 billion, including $445 million for families of the 346 people killed in crashes off Indonesia and in Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019. I Photo: Hugh McMillan Wikimedia Commons

Under the “agreement in principle,” Boeing will pay or invest more than $1.1 billion, including $445 million for families of the 346 people killed in crashes off Indonesia and in Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019.

In return, the DOJ will drop a fraud charge that could have jeopardized Boeing’s federal contracting status.

“Nothing will diminish the victims’ losses, but this resolution holds Boeing financially accountable, provides finality and compensation for the families, and makes an impact for the safety of future air travelers,” a Justice Department spokesperson said.

Relatives of crash victims have long demanded a public trial and prosecution of Boeing executives. The DOJ said families had “mixed views” on the proposed settlement.