Families of Boeing 737 MAX Crash Victims Call for Increased Fines Against Planemaker
Families of the victims from the Boeing 737 MAX crashes, which collectively claimed 346 lives, are urging a U.S. judge to reject Boeing’s recent plea deal with the Justice Department, arguing for a significantly higher fine. They believe the current agreement, which includes a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and a proposed fine of up to $487 million, grossly underestimates the gravity of the company’s actions.
Legal Push for Stricter Penalties
On July 24, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to criminal fraud conspiracy, finalizing a deal that emerged after the company breached a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. However, families of the crash victims, represented by lawyers Paul Cassell and Adrian Vuckovich, have filed court documents challenging the adequacy of the proposed fine. They argue that it does not adequately reflect the value of the lives lost or the extent of the harm caused.
Cassell criticized the proposed settlement as morally reprehensible, highlighting its failure to account for the severity of Boeing’s crimes which resulted in the deaths of 346 individuals. Vuckovich echoed this sentiment, proposing that the fine should be substantial enough to acknowledge each lost life and be consistent with penalties levied against other corporate offenders.
Historical Context and Ongoing Investigations
The families referenced a statement from February 2023 by Judge O’Connor, describing Boeing’s actions as possibly “the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history.” This underscores the profound impact of Boeing’s misrepresentations about critical software features on its 737 MAX planes, which were linked to fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019.
In addition to the plea deal, the Justice Department has informed Boeing that it could either accept the label of a felon from the settlement or contest the charges in court. This comes amid ongoing criminal investigations, including a separate probe into an Alaska Airlines jet that was found missing essential components.
Terms of the Plea Agreement
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Boeing is to pay the maximum possible fine of $487.2 million, with the Justice Department recommending that a previous payment of $243.6 million from the 2021 agreement be credited against this amount. The agreement also stipulates the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee Boeing’s compliance with the deal’s terms. This monitor will be responsible for filing public annual progress reports.
Moreover, Boeing’s board, including its new CEO, is required to meet with the victims’ families within four months following the sentencing, ensuring ongoing communication and accountability.
As this legal saga unfolds, the families continue to advocate for justice and accountability, stressing that the penalties imposed should truly reflect the scale of the tragedy and the corporate negligence that led to it.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, reuters.com