Amidst ongoing scrutiny, an attorney representing families of crash victims reveals that the Department of Justice is offering Boeing a plea deal on federal fraud charges.
The DOJ asserts that safety incidents, such as a door panel detaching from an Alaska Airlines flight, breach a 2021 agreement on protection between Boeing and the Department of Justice. This agreement resulted from two fatal crashes involving 737 Max jets, prompting some victims’ families to urge for overdue criminal charges.
Paul Cassell, representing Boeing crash victims’ families, condemns Boeing for what he deems as the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history, claiming the company’s failure to improve safety culture further exacerbates the situation. He has penned a letter to the DOJ, urging them to take action.
According to Cassell, the time has come for aggressive criminal prosecution against Boeing, given the company’s failure to rectify safety issues over the past three years. He notes that corporate prosecutions often culminate in settlements or plea deals, citing examples like BP and Norfolk Southern.
Former SEC attorney Marc Steinberg anticipates a similar outcome in this case, speculating that Boeing is likely to settle despite any initial resistance. He also points out the lack of individual accountability in such prosecutions, emphasizing the need for justice to target decision-makers.
Interestingly, executives involved in previous high-profile scandals have largely evaded prison sentences, raising questions about the efficacy of holding individuals accountable for corporate wrongdoing. Should the DOJ refrain from pressing charges, experts suggest the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee Boeing’s reform efforts.
