Boeing, an American aircraft manufacturer, is facing potential criminal charges from the Department of Justice for non-compliance with an agreement made in January 2021. The department has deemed pursuing Boeing in court too legally risky and is considering offering the company a new deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the appointment of an independent supervisor to oversee its production and quality control processes.
Boeing was accused of fraud in the certification process of the 737 MAX aircraft, which resulted in 346 deaths in two crashes. In 2021, the company agreed to pay $2.5 billion and strengthen its compliance program. However, despite this agreement, Boeing has faced increasing production and quality control issues with three of its four commercial aircraft models (737 MAX, 787 Dreamliner, and 777). Recent incidents have sparked investigations by regulators, lawmakers, and calls for prosecution from some members of parliament.
The families of crash victims and Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun have not yet reacted to the potential deferred prosecution agreement. If convicted, Boeing could face severe consequences including bankruptcy and exclusion from government and military contracts. As a crucial player in the American economy and national security, the outcome of the Department of Justice’s decision is significant.