Boeing to Plead Guilty to Criminal Fraud Conspiracy Over 737 Max Crashes, 346 Deaths

Jul 8, 2024, 05:07 AM

Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge related to two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that resulted in the deaths of 346 people. The plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice includes a fine of $243.6 million and an additional criminal fine of up to $487.2 million. Boeing will also spend $455 million on compliance and safety and face three years of probation. The agreement allows Boeing to avoid a criminal trial, but it requires the approval of a federal judge to take effect. This plea deal comes after the government determined that Boeing violated an agreement that had protected it from prosecution for more than three years and involved misleading the FAA.