The U.S. Justice Department is pressuring Boeing to plead guilty to criminal fraud in connection with the two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max jetliners. The proposed offer includes Boeing agreeing to an independent monitor to oversee compliance with anti-fraud laws. Family members of crash victims expressed anger at the plea offer, with some feeling that Boeing should face a criminal trial and pay a fine of $24.8 billion. If Boeing rejects the plea offer, the Justice Department will seek a trial. Some family members plan to ask a judge to reject the deal if Boeing agrees to it.
Legal experts say a conviction could jeopardize Boeing’s status as a federal contractor, but waivers can be issued to keep companies eligible for government contracts even after a felony conviction. Boeing previously paid a $244 million fine as part of an original fraud charge settlement in 2021, and the Justice Department may seek another penalty in the new plea offer. The deal would also include a monitor nominated by Boeing, which was criticized by family members.
The Justice Department has not indicated any plans to prosecute current or former Boeing executives, despite being a demand from families. The impact of a plea deal on other investigations into Boeing, such as the recent incident involving a panel detaching during an Alaska Airlines flight, remains unclear. Boeing and the Justice Department have declined to comment on the ongoing case.
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