Boeing violated a 2021 agreement granting it immunity from criminal prosecution after two 737 Max crashes overseas killed 346 people, the Justice Department told a federal judge in a court filing Tuesday.
According to the Department of Justice, Boeing failed to “design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of U.S. fraud laws throughout its business activities.”
The government has not yet decided whether to prosecute Boeing, but lawyers representing families of victims killed in the crash said they expected further action.
“While this is a positive first step, it will be a long time coming for families. However, we need to see further action from the Department of Justice to hold Boeing accountable, and the May 31 “We will use the meeting to explain in more detail what we believe will be a satisfactory remedy for Boeing’s ongoing criminal conduct,” said victims’ attorney Paul Cassel. ” the family and a professor at the University of Utah School of Law said in a statement.
Boeing acknowledged that it had been notified of the decision and said it plans to respond.
“Today, we can confirm that we have received a letter from the Department of Justice, which has determined that the company has not fulfilled its obligations under the 2021 Deferred Prosecution Agreement and is requesting that the company take action,” Boeing said in a statement. told TODAY. statement.
“We believe we respect the terms of that agreement and look forward to the opportunity to respond to the Department on this matter, and in doing so, as we have throughout my term, with the utmost transparency.” We will continue to work with the Department on the following issues.”The details of the agreement were clarified, including answers to questions after the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident. ”
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Government officials are scheduled to meet with crash victims on May 31st and have given Boeing a response to the filing by June 13th. The ministry plans to notify the court on how to proceed by July 7, which could lead to criminal charges against the company.
The jetliner maker has faced increased scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers this year following the recent grounding of its 737 Max jets. In January, an Alaska Airlines 737 Max lost a door plug during a flight. Although there were no serious injuries or deaths in the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration quickly grounded 737 Max planes with the same type of door plug, and regulators launched a new investigation into Boeing’s production practices. .
The Alaska Airlines passenger then received a letter from the FBI informing him that he may have been the victim of a crime.
Zach Wichter is a travel writer for USA TODAY based in New York. Please contact us at zwichter@usatoday.com.
