- The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering prosecuting Boeing over two deadly 737 Max crashes.
- Boeing has denied violating an agreement made in 2021 that shielded the company from criminal charges.
- The crashes resulted in the deaths of 346 people.
Boeing has denied violating the agreement. The crashes, one in Indonesia in 2018 and another in Ethiopia in 2019, resulted in the deaths of a total of 346 people.
The plane maker, as per the DOJ, failed to "design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the US fraud laws throughout its operations." Consequently, this oversight has prompted intensified scrutiny over Boeing's practices.
Boeing stated that it looks forward to the opportunity to respond to the Justice Department and "believes it honored the terms of that agreement." Under the deal, Boeing paid a $2.5 billion (£1.98 billion) settlement, while prosecutors agreed to ask the court to drop a criminal charge after three years.
The DOJ stated that Boeing has until 13 June to respond to the allegations, and what it says will be taken into consideration as the department decides what to do next. Relatives of the victims have called for criminal action against the company.
“This is a positive first step, and for the families, a long time coming. But we need to see further action from DOJ to hold Boeing accountable", a lawyer for victims' families Paul G Cassell said in a statement.
Boeing has continued to face intense scrutiny over the safety of its aircraft after a new 737 Max experienced an unused door coming off shortly after take-off in January, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the plane.
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