Boeing will not face criminal charges in the United States related to two fatal 737 Max crashes, following a court’s approval of the government’s request to dismiss the case. Judge Reed O’Connor stated he had reservations about whether dropping the charge served the public interest, but concluded he could not deny the proposal based on his concerns.
This ruling is a significant outcome for Boeing, which had previously agreed to plead guilty to charges after allegations of violating a settlement tied to the crashes. Families of the victims have expressed disappointment over the dismissal, advocating for holding Boeing accountable through a trial.
Lawyer Paul Cassell, representing some affected families, announced plans to appeal the ruling, emphasizing that the legal system should not remain passive in the face of perceived injustices. Judge O’Connor remarked in his decision that the government’s reasoning for not proceeding to trial lacked seriousness and questioned the new agreement’s ability to ensure accountability for public safety. However, he acknowledged the Department of Justice (DOJ) was acting in good faith and lacked grounds to overturn the request.
The DOJ defended its decision, highlighting consultations with the families, who expressed varied opinions about the resolution. They asserted that the agreement would prevent lengthy litigation while ensuring Boeing meets immediate commitments.
The legal matters stem from accidents involving the 737 Max in 2018 and 2019, resulting in 346 fatalities. Originally, Boeing faced a single charge of criminal fraud conspiracy for allegedly concealing critical information about its flight control software. Although Boeing admitted guilt, it avoided prosecution in a previous agreement that included a substantial financial penalty and commitments to enhance safety and compliance protocols.
In recent developments, the DOJ proposed further terms including additional fines and oversight, but the case was reopened after a safety incident involving the 737 Max. This year’s new settlement, which led to the dismissal of criminal charges, still mandates Boeing to engage an independent compliance consultant and fulfill financial commitments of $1.1 billion, inclusive of penalties and additional compensation for the victims’ families. Prosecutors cited Boeing’s progress in its anti-fraud measures as part of the rationale for the settlement.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c891k875x3qo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss