A U.S. judge has rejected a controversial plea deal between Boeing and the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the tragic crashes of two 737 MAX planes, which claimed 346 lives. The decision is being hailed as a victory by victims’ families, who argued the deal fell short of holding the aerospace giant accountable.
Judge’s Criticism of the Plea Deal
Judge Reed O’Connor struck down the agreement, highlighting critical flaws in its structure. The deal, which included a $243 million fine and independent monitoring, faced scrutiny for allowing Boeing significant influence over the monitor’s selection process and excluding the court’s involvement. The judge described these terms as undermining public confidence and noted that the DOJ’s oversight of Boeing had previously failed.
“The public interest requires the court to step in,” O’Connor wrote.
Additionally, he criticized the diversity requirements for hiring the monitor, arguing they compromised public trust in the monitor’s competency.
Families Applaud the Decision
The families of victims welcomed the ruling, with some labeling the original plea deal as a “get-out-of-jail-free card” for Boeing. Ike and Susan Riffel, who lost their two sons in one of the crashes, praised the judge for rejecting an agreement they believed failed to address the gravity of the tragedy.
“This deal didn’t hold anyone accountable for the deaths of 346 people and did nothing to protect the flying public,” they said.
Boeing’s Ongoing Challenges
Boeing, which has 30 days to respond to the ruling, has struggled to rebuild its reputation since the crashes in 2018 and 2019. Both incidents were tied to flaws in the 737 MAX’s flight control system, a design issue that the company admitted played a role in the accidents.
The aerospace giant previously entered a plea agreement in 2021, pledging to address safety concerns under DOJ monitoring. However, a recent incident involving a door panel failure on a Boeing plane reignited doubts about its progress.
Judge O’Connor pointed out that the government’s attempt to ensure Boeing’s compliance with the 2021 agreement had failed, stating, “It is fair to say the government’s attempt to ensure compliance has failed.”
Demand for Accountability
Families and legal representatives are now pushing for a renegotiated deal that imposes stricter accountability measures. Erin Appelbaum, an attorney for some families, called the ruling a “significant victory” and urged the DOJ to abandon leniency toward Boeing.
“It’s time for the DOJ to demand real accountability,” she said.
Boeing’s Responsibility
While Boeing has publicly acknowledged its role in the crashes, it maintains that the misleading information provided to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) did not directly cause the accidents.
“Boeing profoundly regrets the accidents and the unspeakable losses that the crash victim representatives have suffered,” the company said in a statement.
What’s Next?
The ruling sets the stage for a renegotiation of the plea deal. Families hope for stricter terms that reflect the gravity of the tragedy and ensure future safety in Boeing’s operations. Whether the DOJ and Boeing can arrive at a revised agreement that satisfies all parties remains uncertain.
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