A federal judge on Thursday rejected a deal that would have allowed Boeing to plead guilty to a felony conspiracy charge and pay a fine for misleading US regulators about the 737 Max aircraft before two of the planes crashed, killing 346 people.
The ruling by US District Judge Reed O’Connor in Texas creates uncertainty around the criminal prosecution of the aerospace giant in connection with the development of its bestselling airline plane. Boeing and the Justice Department could try to negotiate a new plea agreement.
The Justice Department and Boeing did not comment immediately.
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Boeing Max plane grounded globally after mid-air blowout leaving hole the size of a door
Boeing Max plane grounded globally after mid-air blowout leaving hole the size of a door
Paul Cassell, a lawyer for families of passengers who died in the crashes, called the ruling an important victory for the rights of crime victims.
“No longer can federal prosecutors and high-powered defence attorney craft back-room deals and just expect judges to approve them,” Cassell said. “Judge O’Connor has recognised that this was a cosy deal between the government and Boeing that failed to focus on the overriding concerns – holding Boeing accountable for its deadly crime and ensuring that nothing like this happens again in the future.”
Many relatives of the passengers who died in the crashes, which took place off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia less than five months apart, have spent years pushing for a public trial, the prosecution of former company officials and more severe financial punishment for Boeing.
The deal the judge rejected would have let Boeing plead guilty to defrauding regulators who approved pilot training requirements for the 737 Max nearly a decade ago. Prosecutors did not allege Boeing’s deception played a role in the crashes.
