Judge Rejects Boeing's $243 Million Plea Deal Over DEI Provision

Dec 5, 2024, 06:43 PM

A U.S. federal judge has rejected Boeing's plea agreement with the Department of Justice over a felony conspiracy charge related to the two fatal 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people. Judge Reed C. O'Connor of the Northern District of Texas cited concerns about provisions in the deal that required considerations of race and diversity when appointing an independent monitor to oversee Boeing. The judge found flaws in how the DOJ intended to use Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) criteria in the selection process, asserting that it minimized the court's role. As a result, the proposed settlement, which included a $243 million fine, was rejected.