Boeing’s petition over fatal crashes rejected
Boeing’s plea to settle a case related to two fatal crashes of its planes has been rejected by a US judge.
Boeing had originally agreed to plead guilty to one count of criminal fraud with the US government in July, face independent monitoring and pay a $243m (£191m) fine.
However, Judge Reed O’Connor struck down the agreement on Thursday, saying it gave the court too little oversight power.
The decision comes after years of legal battles stemming from the tragedies that killed a total of 346 people.
In his ruling, Reed said the government had “failed” to monitor the company over the years and raised concerns about requirements that parties consider race in hiring monitors.
He also noted objections brought by some families of the 346 people who died on the flights, who criticized it as a “sweetheart” arrangement that did not hold the firm appropriately responsible for the deaths.
On Thursday, attorney Erin Appelbaum, a partner at Kreindler & Kreindler, which represents 34 families who lost loved ones when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed in 2019, praised the outcome.
“This is an excellent decision by Judge O’Connor and an important victory for the victims’ families,” he said in a statement.
“We look forward to a significant reconsideration of the plea agreement that includes terms commensurate with the seriousness of Boeing’s crimes. It is time for the DOJ to end its lenient behavior toward Boeing and demand real accountability “
Boeing and the Justice Department did not immediately comment.
Both sides have 30 days to develop a new plan.
