Judge rules against plea deal between Boeing and US government before Max plane crashes

Boeing pleaded guilty earlier this year to one charge of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and had to pay millions of dollars in fines, as well as pay the families of the passengers who died in the two crashes.

Published: December 5, 2024 2:22pm

A district court judge on Thursday ruled to reject a plea deal between the U.S. government and Boeing, after the company said it would plead guilty to misleading the Federal Aviation Administration before the Max plane crashes.

U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor said he had issues with the selection process to find an independent party in the plea deal to review the safety steps to improve Boeing. 

Boeing pleaded guilty earlier this year to one charge of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and had to pay millions of dollars in fines, as well as pay the families of the passengers who died in the two crashes.

O’Connor stated he had an issue with the Justice Department and its ability to approve an independent party to monitor safety changes to Boeing.

“It is fair to say the government’s attempt to ensure compliance has failed,” O’Connor stated, according to CNN. “At this point, the public interest requires the court to step in. Marginalizing the court in the selection and monitoring of the independent monitor as the plea agreement does undermines public confidence in Boeing’s probation.”

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