The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) is considering a deal with Boeing Co. that would allow the company to avoid criminal liability over 737 Max 8 crashes, the New York Times reported on Friday. The DoJ determined in May that Boeing violated the terms of a previous deal made in 2021 after two of its aircraft crashed in 2018 and 2019. However, the report claimed some DoJ officials thought prosecuting Boeing over the violation would be "too legally risky."
Instead, the department is considering offering the company a deferred prosecution agreement, including appointing an "independent monitor to oversee the company’s safety protocols." However, sources pointed out that the DoJ has not made a decision and that it could still offer Boeing a plea deal "in which the company admits some culpability." The department is expected to decide on the deal by the end of June, the report said.
