Boeing, DOJ Finalize Deal to Dodge Indictment Over 737 Max Crashes
(MENAFN) Boeing finalized an agreement Friday with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to pay $1.1 billion in settlement related to two fatal 737 Max crashes, enabling the aerospace giant to sidestep criminal prosecution, according to media reports.
The settlement arises from the 2018 Lion Air Flight 610 and 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 disasters, which collectively claimed 346 lives.
Most of the settlement funds will be dedicated to enhancing Boeing’s compliance, safety, and quality programs, while $445 million will be allocated to compensate victims’ families, the Justice Department announced.
Court filings revealed the deal prevents criminal charges over accusations that Boeing misled US regulators about the 737 Max’s safety prior to the accidents.
Some relatives of the victims criticized the agreement, expressing "tremendous grief and even anger" over the outcome.
"This kind of non-prosecution deal is unprecedented and obviously wrong for the deadliest corporate crime in US history," Paul Cassell, an attorney for some families, said in a statement.
"The families that I represent contend that it is more important for Boeing to be held accountable to the flying public," said Cassell. "My families will object and hope to convince the court to reject it."
Boeing declined to comment on the resolution, while the DOJ defended the settlement.
"After careful consideration of the families' views, the facts and the law, the department's principles of federal prosecution and the professional and ethical obligations of prosecutors, it is the government's judgment that the agreement is a fair and just resolution that serves the public interest," officials stated in court documents.
Despite years of families pushing for a public criminal trial and harsher penalties for Boeing and its former executives, Justice Department representatives said: "We are confident that this resolution is the most just outcome with practical benefits."
"Nothing will diminish the victims' losses, but this resolution holds Boeing financially accountable, provides finality and compensation for the families and makes an impact for the safety of future air travelers," said the officials.
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