Families of 737 accident victims insist the rejection of Boeing Agreement | Company Business News

(Bloomberg) – Family members of people who are in two fatal Boeing Co accident accidents. ‘s 737 Max Jets was killed, a federal judge requested to reject a proposed agreement that reached the company with US prosecutors who would enable the planemaker to avoid a criminal complaint. Advocates for 15 families argued that Boeing should be tried for criminal conspiracy as the government originally planned to hold the company more liable for the death of 346 people, according to a court that would rather. “The conspiracy charge against Boeing has been pending for more than four years,” said the families’ attorneys. “Boeing has acknowledged all the facts to prove it is guilty. And yet the government is now moving to reject the charge.” They added: “It’s hard to suggest a case that deserves a public hearing as this one.” In May, the US Department of Justice asked US District Judge Reed O’Connor in Fort Worth to reject the case as part of a proposed settlement reached with Boeing. Under the agreement, the planemaker agreed to pay more than $ 1.1 billion in fees and fines, while taking steps to strengthen internal quality and safety measures. In return, the company will avoid criminal prosecution. Prosecutors argued that the agreement ensures “meaningful liability” and ensures that Boeing faces penalties and supervision, a result that they think would not be guaranteed if they heard the case. A Boeing representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In Wednesday’s submission, advocates for family members who oppose the agreement said that it would essentially allow the company to “buy from a criminal conviction”. The families also claimed that language in the agreement would compel the government not to prosecute Boeing, even if O’Connor rejected the motion to dismiss the case, which would manage the full judicial review. “If this court approves the parties’ maneuver in this widely published case, this unprecedented approach will probably become the blueprint for all future discharge -moses in federal criminal prosecution,” they said. Family members of accident victims fought for years for the stricter fines for Boeing after the two fatal accidents of his 737 Max Jet in 2018 and 2019. Both accidents were linked to a defective flight control system on the Jets. The families said that the fatal Air India crash showed with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner earlier this month that “the interests for aviation safety are very large.” The cause of the accident is still being investigated. Certainly, some families support the settlement. But those who want to hear Boeing said that the company has thrown money “in front of the families, and apparently hope that it will lead them to their efforts to hold Boeing accountable for the death of their loved ones. And Boeing’s offer seems to have the desired effect, at least with regard to some families.” If O’Connor agrees to a dismissal, it would end the prolonged criminal case against Boeing over the accidents. But it would also be a significant turnaround in the proceedings. Just last year, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to the pending criminal charge of conspiracy under an agreement eventually rejected by O’Connor. Under the new settlement, Boeing will acknowledge that the underlying accusation of “conspiracy to impede and hinder the legal operation of the Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Evaluation Group”, but the admission does not form a guilty plea. The government said it could relocate criminal charges against the company if Boeing was accused of violating the conditions of the duel. Some family members dispute the claim and say that the statute of restrictions has already expired. The agreement requires Boeing to pay a total of $ 1.1 billion to different fines and fees. The total includes: Boeing must retain a so -called independent compliance consultant to oversee its efforts to improve the effectiveness of the compliance and ethical program against fraud. The consultant will be expected to make recommendations for improvements and report their findings directly to the government. The case is US v. Boeing, 21-CR -005, US District Court, Northern District Texas (Fort Worth). -With help from Allyson Prevent. (Uprocessed updates to Boeing for comment.) More stories like this are available on Bloomberg.com © 2025 Bloomberg LP