“Do not allow Boeing to buy its freedom.”
FORT WORTH, Texas — A US federal judge has dismissed a criminal conspiracy charge against Boeing over two 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people, after approving a deal between the company and prosecutors.
Under the agreement, Boeing will pay or invest $1.1 billion (£0.84bn) in fines, compensation to victims’ families, and internal safety measures. Prosecutors accused the aerospace firm of misleading regulators about a faulty flight-control system linked to the 2018 and 2019 crashes.
Judge Reed O’Connor granted the government’s request to drop the charge, despite emotional pleas from relatives urging him to send the case to trial. “Do not allow Boeing to buy its freedom,” said Catherine Berthet, whose daughter died in the Ethiopia crash.
Boeing said it remains committed to honouring its agreement and improving safety standards. The Justice Department said the resolution better serves public interest than risking a trial verdict that might spare the company further penalties.