Boeing to Avoid Guilty Plea With DOJ Over 737 Max Crashes
The New York TimesFriday, May 23, 2025 at 7:55:31 PM
Boeing is reportedly close to striking a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that would allow it to avoid a guilty plea related to the fatal 737 Max crashes. Instead, the company may agree to pay a hefty fine and submit to stricter oversight—essentially a deferred prosecution agreement. This means Boeing dodges a formal criminal conviction but still faces consequences for its role in the tragedies.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about legal technicalities—it’s about whether a giant like Boeing truly faces justice for mistakes that cost 346 lives. A guilty plea would have been a major black mark, potentially barring the company from government contracts. The DOJ’s softer approach suggests corporate giants can still negotiate their way out of the harshest penalties, which will frustrate victims’ families and reignite debates about accountability when profits collide with safety.
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