Families outraged as DOJ considers dropping case against Boeing
- The Justice Department plans to drop criminal charges against Boeing while considering a settlement.
- This decision follows Boeing's agreement to plead guilty last year, which has since been rejected.
- Victims' families have expressed outrage over the potential outcome, viewing it as insufficient accountability.
In the United States, on May 16, 2025, the Justice Department initiated discussions to drop a criminal case against Boeing, despite the company’s previous agreement to plead guilty to fraud charges related to two fatal crashes of its 737 Max aircraft. The company had faced allegations of misleading federal regulators during the certification process for its jets, which resulted in the deaths of 346 people from both Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes. Victims' families were informed about the Justice Department's decision on the same day, which included plans for a non-criminal settlement that would allocate an additional $444.5 million to a fund for victims’ families. This decision by the Justice Department has sparked outrage among victims' families and their attorneys, who argue that the move diminishes Boeing's accountability for its alleged misdeeds. They described the potential settlement as a “morally repugnant” decision that undermines the seriousness of the situation, comparing it to a mere slap on the wrist for the aerospace giant, and they have expressed intentions to oppose this decision in court. Until now, Boeing had faced serious consequences, including potential prosecution, due to its earlier agreement for a deferred prosecution settlement after violating a 2021 agreement that was meant to hold them accountable for their actions. However, the recent developments indicate that the DOJ is reconsidering its approach as Boeing now seems uncooperative with the plea agreement and may take its chances at trial. Such changes come on the heels of an incident in early January 2024, where a door plug malfunctioned on one of Boeing’s 737 Max planes, allowing the Justice Department to revive prosecution considerations against the company. The initial guilty plea, which was to include significant financial penalties and probation under strict oversight, was rejected by a federal judge who raised concerns around the independent monitoring aspects of the original deal. This ongoing situation remains fluid and is anticipated to evolve as both the Justice Department and Boeing navigate the potential implications of either proceeding with the criminal case or reaching a settlement that many stakeholders deem inadequate.