Justice Department says it may drop criminal prosecution of Boeing over Max crashes
Share this @internewscast.com

The Justice Department might withdraw its criminal case against Boeing, which involved accusations of deceiving U.S. regulators about the 737 Max before two fatal crashes that claimed 346 lives, as revealed in a court document filed over the weekend.

In a Saturday status report, the department stated that two of its representatives met with families of some of the crash victims. They discussed a potential pretrial agreement that would include dropping the criminal fraud charge against Boeing.

The department mentioned that no final decision has been reached, and they are allowing family members additional time to provide their input. A federal judge in Texas has scheduled the trial to begin on June 23.

Paul Cassell, an attorney for many of the families in the long-running case, said his clients strongly oppose dropping the criminal case.

“We hope that this bizarre plan will be rejected by the leadership of the department,” Cassell said in a statement. “Dismissing the case would dishonor the memories of 346 victims who Boeing killed through its callous lies.”

Many relatives of the passengers who died in the crashes, which took place off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019, have spent years pushing for a public trial, the prosecution of former company officials, and more severe financial punishment for Boeing.

Boeing was accused of misleading the Federal Aviation Administration about aspects of the Max before the agency certified the plane for flight. Boeing did not tell airlines and pilots about a new software system, called MCAS, that could turn the plane’s nose down without input from pilots if a sensor detected that the plane might go into an aerodynamic stall.

The Max planes crashed after a faulty reading from the sensor pushed the nose down and pilots were unable to regain control. After the second crash, Max jets were grounded worldwide until the company redesigned MCAS to make it less powerful and to use signals from two sensors, not just one.

Boeing avoided prosecution in 2021 by reaching a $2.5 billion settlement with the Justice Department that included a previous $243.6 million fine.

A year ago, prosecutors said Boeing violated terms of the 2021 agreement by failing to make promised changes to detect and prevent violations of federal anti-fraud laws. Boeing agreed last July to plead guilty to the felony fraud charge instead of enduring a potentially lengthy public trial.

But in December, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor in Fort Worth rejected the plea deal. The judge said the diversity, inclusion and equity or DEI, policies in the government and at Boeing could result in race being a factor in picking a monitor to oversee Boeing’s compliance with the agreement.

Lawyers for the government and Boeing have spent months discussing a new deal. The Justice Department said in its latest filing that the two sides “discussed a possible framework for a nonprosecution agreement—but have not exchanged a draft written agreement—that would impose obligations on both parties,” including Boeing paying an additional fine and compensation.

Lawyers for the families said they learned during Friday’s meeting with the acting head of the Justice Department’s criminal fraud section and the acting U.S. attorney for northern Texas that Boeing no longer was willing to plead guilty.

The Justice Department said it had agreed to consider any written submissions by the family members through May 22. After that, the department said it would notify O’Connor promptly about how it wants to proceed.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Man accused of spraying anti-ICE graffiti at Oklahoma Capitol is registered child sex offender, charges filed

Oklahoma Capitol Vandalism: Charges Filed Against Registered Child Sex Offender for Anti-ICE Graffiti

A registered sex offender has been accused of vandalizing Oklahoma’s State Capitol…
Ex-nonprofit boss allegedly swiped $1.2M meant for homeless programs to fund lavish lifestyle, DA says

Former Nonprofit CEO Accused of Embezzling $1.2M from Homeless Funds for Personal Luxury

The leader of a city-funded nonprofit in San Francisco is accused of…
Bye-bye, local veto: Queens Councilwoman Vickie Paladino’s pro-housing vote marks the end of a terrible Council tradition

Queens Councilwoman Vickie Paladino’s Bold Pro-Housing Decision Breaks Tradition: A New Era for Local Development

Raise a cheer: the City Council’s notorious local veto on land use…
Bullet in the cap, Fresno police share body cam of moment officer narrowly escapes a gunshot to the head

Heart-Stopping Moment: Fresno Officer Dodges Bullet to the Head – Body Cam Footage Revealed

Intense bodycam footage captures a harrowing moment in Fresno, where a police…
Serial Child Predator's Parole Now Thwarted by Cold Case Warrant

Cold Case Breakthrough: Serial Child Predator’s Parole Halted by New Warrant

Many of us have often felt exasperated with the justice system’s revolving-door…
Virginia murder suspect in bus stop stabbing had lengthy criminal history, multiple dropped charges

Virginia Stabbing: Unveiling the Troubled Past of a Suspect with a History of Dropped Charges

A Virginia man, facing charges for the fatal stabbing of a woman…
ICE arrests illegal immigrant training as Pennsylvania corrections officer suspected of rape

ICE Detains Pennsylvania Corrections Officer Trainee Accused of Rape and Immigration Violations

An undocumented immigrant in Pennsylvania, who was in training to become a…
Los Angeles social media addiction trial: Plaintiff identified only as KGM describes emotional toll of Instagram, YouTube use

Los Angeles Trial Explores Emotional Impact of Social Media: Plaintiff KGM Shares Experiences with Instagram and YouTube

In a groundbreaking trial taking place in Los Angeles, a 20-year-old woman…
Pink in consideration to take over Kelly Clarkson’s talk show slot at NBC

Pink Poised to Shine: NBC Considers Pop Icon to Replace Kelly Clarkson’s Talk Show Slot

In a potential shake-up at NBC, the network is considering Pink as…
Ukraine targets 50,000 Russian casualties a month as war enters fifth year

Ukraine Aims to Inflict 50,000 Russian Casualties Monthly as Conflict Enters Fifth Year

PAVLOHRAD, Ukraine — In the fourth year of Russia’s extensive invasion, Ukraine…
Elgin woman frustrated by Amazon deliveries, receiving packages she didn't order

Elgin Resident Voices Concerns Over Unsolicited Amazon Deliveries

CHICAGO (WLS) — Picture the bafflement of receiving a myriad of unexpected…
Sweden intercepts suspected Russian drone during visit by French aircraft carrier

Swedish Forces Thwart Potential Russian Drone Threat Amid French Naval Diplomacy

In a significant security incident, the Swedish military recently intercepted what is…