DOJ Presents Boeing With Plea Deal in 737 Max Crash Cases

The agreement would install an independent monitor to oversee the company's quality improvements, three years of probation, and a $244 million fine.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, July 02, 2024 at 02:07 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

Boeing has until the end of the week to decide if it will accept a plea deal offered by the Department of Justice to resolve a criminal charge of fraud stemming from two 737 Max crashes. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Boeing is considering a Department of Justice plea deal to resolve criminal fraud charges related to two 737 Max crashes, which resulted in 346 deaths, with a decision due by the end of the week.
The proposed deal includes a $244 million fine, a three-year probationary period, an independent monitor for safety and quality, and requires Boeing to admit defrauding safety regulators, but not fault in the victims' deaths.
Families of the victims are deeply insulted by the plea deal, deeming it too lenient and instead advocating for a $24.8 billion fine and greater accountability from the company.
This situation follows the DOJ's determination that Boeing violated a previous deferred prosecution agreement, a finding reinforced by recent incidents such as the 737-9 Max door plug blowout.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Boeing has until the end of the week to decide if it will accept a plea deal offered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to resolve a criminal charge of fraud stemming from two 737 Max crashes that resulted in the deaths of 346 people.

On Sunday federal prosecutors met with attorneys representing the families of those killed. The plea agreement would include the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee the company’s progress on safety and quality improvements, a three-year probationary period, and a $244 million fine.