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
'Unruly' Frontier Airlines passenger makes verbal bomb threat after landing at Atlanta airport

Frontier Airlines Passenger Allegedly Issues Verbal Bomb Threat Post-Landing at Atlanta Airport

A disruptive passenger aboard a Frontier Airlines flight issued a bomb threat…
Severe weather outlook: Chicago weather forecast today, tomorrow includes chance for strong storms, large hail, high winds

Chicago Braces for Intense Weather: Strong Storms, Large Hail, and High Winds Expected

CHICAGO — The meteorologists at ABC7 Chicago AccuWeather have sounded an alert…
Air Canada CEO steps down amid backlash over apology video after LaGuardia plane crash

Air Canada CEO Resigns Following Controversial Apology Video Post-LaGuardia Crash

Michael Rousseau, CEO of Air Canada, has announced his decision to step…
San Francisco supervisor delays resignation decision as she navigates personal health crisis

San Francisco Supervisor Postpones Resignation Amid Personal Health Challenge

Jackie Fielder, a prominent progressive figure among San Francisco’s supervisors, has reversed…
Nestlé promises there's enough KitKats left for Easter — despite 12-ton theft that's fascinated the world

Nestlé Assures Easter Supply of KitKats Unaffected by Global Sensation: The 12-Ton Heist

The culprits behind the theft of a massive haul of KitKat bars…
Western Australia's skies turn a hellish red as Tropical Cyclone Narelle hit, stunning video shows

Tropical Cyclone Narelle Paints Western Australia’s Skies a Striking Red, Captivating Video Reveals

In a striking display of nature’s power, the western skies of Australia…
Trump dominates CPAC poll as conservatives rally behind agenda, back Iran action

Trump Leads the Charge: CPAC Poll Reveals Strong Conservative Support and Bold Iran Strategy

A recent survey has underscored the steadfast influence of President Donald Trump…
Spain closes airspace to US planes involved in Iran war: defense minister

Spain Shuts Airspace to US Military Aircraft Amid Rising Tensions with Iran, Announces Defense Minister

Spain has taken a significant step by shutting its airspace to American…
President Trump posts letter from Billy Graham's son about fate of his immortal soul

Franklin Graham’s Letter to Trump Sparks Debate on Immortal Soul and Spiritual Legacy

WASHINGTON — In a letter shared on Truth Social this Palm Sunday,…
Trump details 'massive' military complex under White House ballroom

Trump Unveils Extensive Military Facility Beneath White House Ballroom

WASHINGTON — On Sunday, President Trump disclosed that a substantial military complex…
Confirmed: Trump Reveals Iranian Leader He's Talking To, Will Know 'In About a Week' If He's Trustworthy

Trump Discloses Iranian Leader Talks, Trust Decision Expected Soon

In a recent development, President Donald Trump disclosed ongoing negotiations with an…
Trump says he could 'take the oil in Iran' as he mulls over seizing Kharg Island

Trump Considers Strategic Seizure of Iran’s Kharg Island, Suggests Potential Oil Extraction

President Trump has floated the idea that the United States might seize…