A U.S. has judge approved a request by the Trump administration’s Justice Department to dismiss a criminal case against Boeing allowing the plane maker to avoid prosecution on a charge stemming from two fatal 737 MAX plane crashes that killed 346 people, but he harshly criticized the government’s decision.
Judge Reed O’Connor, of the U.S. District Court in Fort Worth, Texas, disagreed with the department that dismissing the case, which had been pursued by the Biden administration and initially resulted in an admission of guilt, was in the public interest.
O’Connor said in 2023 that “Boeing’s crime may properly be considered the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history.”
The judge said he had no authority to reject the government’s decision to make a deal with Boeing, even though he said it “fails to secure the necessary accountability to ensure the safety of the flying public.”
Boeing said it would honor the obligations of its agreement with the Department of Justice.
“We are also committed to continuing the significant efforts we have made as a company to strengthen our safety, quality, and compliance programs,” it added.
The Justice Department rejected the judge’s criticism. “Rather than allow for protracted litigation, this agreement provides finality for the victims and requires Boeing to act now,” a spokesperson said. “We are confident that this resolution is the most just outcome.”
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Boeing Agreed to Plead Guilty
Boeing last year had agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge after the fatal 737 MAX crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019.
But the finalization of an agreement was delayed when O’Connor, who has a record of ruling in favor of conservative causes, raised question over an element of the Biden administration’s deal.
It said the Justice Department would follow its “commitment to diversity and inclusion” when selecting an independent monitor to audit Boeing.
After U.S. President Donald Trump took power, the Justice Department reversed course in May and dropped the demand for a guilty plea.
Admitting to a criminal charge would have potentially threatened Boeing’s ability to secure lucrative government contracts with U.S Defense Department and NASA, although government agencies could waive any restrictions.
Reuters/Hauwa M.