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
Luigi Mangione battles to block key evidence a year after CEO assassination — experts say it’s a long shot

Luigi Mangione Fights to Exclude Crucial Evidence in CEO Murder Case—Experts Doubt Success

Luigi Mangione 911 call played in court A courtroom in Manhattan recently…
Watch: Democrat Senator Hilariously Own-Goals His Party With Criticism of DOJ Pipe Bomb Case Arrest

Watch: Democrat Senator’s Unintended Critique of DOJ Pipe Bomb Case Sparks Viral Stir

Over the years, politicians have certainly given us some memorable moments, but…
Lawmakers hear from Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, the Navy admiral who reportedly ordered attack that killed boat strike survivors

Controversial Navy Attack: Lawmakers Grill Adm. Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley on Fatal Boat Strike Decision

WASHINGTON — A high-ranking Navy admiral, accused of commanding the U.S. military…
Jets QB Tyrod Taylor is staying in the moment, not thinking about the future

Jets QB Tyrod Taylor Focuses on Present, Keeps Future Plans on Hold

As an NFL veteran of 15 years, contemplating life beyond the gridiron…
US military conducts strike on another suspected drug boat as probe into the first strike begins

US Military Launches Second Strike on Suspected Drug Vessel Amid Ongoing Investigation of Initial Operation

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, the U.S. Southern Command announced a new military…
Omaha bystander flees gas station bathroom moments before armed man fires on officers

Omaha Hero Escapes Gas Station Restroom Before Armed Suspect Opens Fire on Police

An individual in Omaha, Nebraska, narrowly escaped danger by leaving a gas…
Chicago weather forecast today: Bitter cold temps move into area

Brace Yourself, Chicago: Arctic Temps Sweep the City in Today’s Weather Forecast

CHICAGO — Residents of Chicago woke up to a biting chill on…
NJ mayor charged with child endangerment after caught driving while drunk

NJ Mayor Arrested for Drunk Driving and Child Endangerment

A New Jersey mayor, whose reckless actions earlier this year shocked her…
The DSA undercuts Black New Yorkers

DSA’s Impact on Black Communities in New York: A Closer Look

The recent mayoral election was less a triumph of democratic socialism and…
Musk Maps Out MAGA’s Next 12 Years: Trump’s Return, Vance’s Rise

Elon Musk Predicts the Future of MAGA: Trump’s Comeback and J.D. Vance’s Ascension Over the Next 12 Years

Last month, Elon Musk delivered a virtual address at a private event…
Chicago crime: Marquis Terry charged in kidnapping; alert issued for robberies in Little Village, Humboldt Park, Logan Square

Chicago Crime Update: Marquis Terry Faces Kidnapping Charges, Warning Issued for Little Village, Humboldt Park, and Logan Square Robberies

CHICAGO – Authorities have announced charges against a man in connection with…
Loyola New Orleans TPUSA chapter denied again after 'absolutely appalling' student government meeting: student

Loyola New Orleans TPUSA Chapter Faces Rejection Following Contentious Student Government Meeting

The student government at Loyola University has once again rejected the bid…