The United States Department of Justice reportedly plans to hit Boeing with a criminal fraud charge over two fatal plane crashes.A guilty plea could impact Boeing's ability to enter into government contracts, including with the US military.
The proposal would reportedly require Boeing to plead guilty to conspiring to defraud the US Federal Aviation Administration in connection with the fatal crashes. The offer also contemplates subjecting Boeing to three years of probation and independent safety audits.Officials reportedly plan to give Boeing until the end of the week to respond to the offer, which they will present as non-negotiable.As members of the travelling public, should we be concerned about the slew of recent incidents with Boeing planes? Well, yes and no.
Erin Applebaum, one of the lawyers representing victims' relatives, said family members wanted the company to face additional charges and stiffer financial consequences. It is unusual for the DOJ to inform other interested parties of its plans before notifying the company in its crosshairs. Boeing has previously said it "honoured the terms" of the settlement and formally told prosecutors it disagrees with the finding that it violated the agreement.