(PatriotPostNews.com) – Airline manufacturer Boeing recently agreed to a plea deal in a case involving two fatal crashes, but some experts say that the situation will cause little harm to the company.
On Sunday June 7, Boeing conceded to a so-called “sweetheart deal” in a federal case. The company pleaded guilty to a single defrauding count, which it was accused of doing with officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The criminal conviction of fraud means that Boeing will now be branded as a felon.
The deal, made with the Department of Justice (DOJ), goes back to 2018 and 2019 crashes of 737 Max planes, which killed 346 people. In exchange for an admittance of guilt, the federal government will fine the company $244 million, impose three years of probation, and install a corporate monitor for safety regulation compliance.
The government said in a statement that the deal will ensure that Boeing “strengthen[s]” its safety protocol in a way that “protects the American public.” It added that a criminal conviction against the once highly respected commercial airline manufacturer shows its “commitment” to accountability for the company’s “misconduct.”
While the deal did not criminally implicate individuals within Boeing, the government pointed out that it also did not provide “immunity” to anyone, “including corporate executives,” and thus does not close the door on future legal battles.
But even with the major reputation blow, Boeing may not be down for the count. One government contract attorney from the McCarter & English firm in New Jersey, Franklin Turner, explained that the company is “too big to fail” because it has “extensive involvement” in what he described as “crucial government and military projects.”
Turner added that Boeing likely would not have taken the deal if they were aware it could cost them “current or future contracts” that would ultimately profit them. Families of victims who died in the 2018 and 2019 crashes have expressed disappointment in the deal, having hoped for higher fines and more direct accountability from Boeing’s leadership.
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