Breaking news from New York/Washington: Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge in connection with the tragic 737 MAX fatal crashes. The U.S. Justice Department announced this development in a court filing over the weekend.
In order to bring closure to this investigation, Boeing has agreed to the plea deal. Pending approval from a federal judge, the planemaker will be labeled as a convicted felon. Additionally, Boeing will be required to pay a criminal fine of $243.6 million, as outlined in the agreement with the Justice Department.
The charge stems from the two devastating 737 MAX crashes that occurred in Indonesia and Ethiopia, claiming the lives of 346 individuals within a short span of five months in 2018 and 2019. These tragic incidents prompted the families of the victims to call for accountability and demand that Boeing be held responsible.