A US judge has rejected a plea deal between Boeing and the Department of Justice (DOJ) over two fatal plane crashes. Judge Reed O’Connor ruled the agreement undermines the court and includes “contradictory” diversity requirements.
The deal, proposed in July, required Boeing to plead guilty to one count of criminal fraud, accept independent monitoring, and pay a $243 million fine. Families of the 346 victims called the deal a “get-out-of-jail-free card.”
Court and Public Interest Concerns
Judge O’Connor argued the deal failed to hold Boeing accountable and gave the company too much influence. He criticized the provision allowing Boeing to help select the independent monitor and exempting it from following the monitor’s recommendations.
The deal also included diversity requirements for hiring the monitor. The judge said this undermines confidence in the selection process and detracts from public trust in Boeing and government ethics. He emphasized the need for justice to prioritize competency over diversity.
“The public must trust this process is based solely on qualifications,” Judge O’Connor wrote. Families of the victims supported the ruling, saying it provides hope for real accountability.
Ongoing Crisis at Boeing
Boeing and the DOJ now have 30 days to propose a new plan. The ruling adds to the challenges facing the aerospace giant, still reeling from the 2018 and 2019 crashes of its 737 Max planes. These accidents were linked to a faulty flight control system and resulted in global scrutiny of Boeing’s safety practices.
The company faced further criticism in January when a door panel blew off a new plane during takeoff. This incident reignited concerns about its safety improvements since the crashes.
In 2021, Boeing agreed to monitoring as part of an earlier plea deal over its flight control system. However, the DOJ claimed Boeing violated that agreement, raising the possibility of prosecution. Instead, both parties attempted a new deal, which Judge O’Connor rejected.
Families and Advocates Demand Accountability
Victims’ families and their lawyers hailed the decision as a step toward justice. Ike and Susan Riffel, who lost their two sons in the crashes, said the deal failed to protect the flying public or hold anyone accountable.
Erin Appelbaum, a lawyer for some victims’ families, called the ruling “a significant victory.” She urged the DOJ to demand meaningful accountability from Boeing.
“The time has come for real justice,” Appelbaum said. “This decision opens the door for a more appropriate resolution.”
