The US Department of Justice is reportedly set to charge Boeing with fraud, but is considering offering the planemaker a plea deal. This development has evoked strong emotions from the loved ones of the 346 passengers who perished in two fatal crashes five years ago involving Boeing aircraft.
Boeing has been given until the end of the week to decide whether to plead guilty to the charge and avoid trial, a decision that has left families of the crash victims feeling betrayed. The proposed plea deal includes a fine, a three-year probation term, and oversight by a corporate monitor.
Attorneys representing the families are criticizing the plea deal as inadequate and disrespectful to the victims. They plan to challenge the deal in court and in the public eye, emphasizing the need for accountability from Boeing.
Despite this controversy, Boeing is moving forward with acquiring Spirit AeroSystems, a major supplier, in a deal valued at over $4 billion.