Boeing has reached an agreement with the US Department of Justice to settle a criminal case related to the 737 Max crashes, which resulted in the tragic loss of 346 lives. The deal, if finalised, will see Boeing pay over $1 billion to avoid criminal prosecution over allegations that it misled US regulators about the safety of the 737 Max jetliner before two deadly crashes.
According to court documents filed on Friday, the Justice Department and Boeing have agreed on an “agreement in principle” that will require the company to invest and pay more than $1.1 billion. In exchange, the Justice Department will drop the criminal charges against the aerospace manufacturer, although the arrangement still requires final approval.
The Justice Department stated in the court filing that the agreement ensures accountability and immediate benefits from Boeing, while also avoiding the uncertainty and risks associated with a prolonged trial.
However, the deal has faced opposition from many of the families affected by the crashes. Paul Cassell, an attorney representing several of the victims’ families, expressed strong opposition to the dismissal of the criminal case. He argued that dropping the charges would be disrespectful to the victims, highlighting the impact of Boeing’s actions.
“Dismissing the case would dishonour the memories of the 346 victims who were killed due to Boeing’s reckless decisions,” Cassell said in a recent statement.
Relatives of those who lost their lives in the crashes, which occurred in 2018 and 2019 off the coasts of Indonesia and Ethiopia, have long campaigned for a public trial, the prosecution of former Boeing officials, and harsher financial penalties for the company. They have spent years advocating for greater accountability following the tragedy.
