Court dismissed criminal charges against Boeing over disasters

• The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island dismissed the case against Boeing.
• Boeing acknowledges its wrongdoing, but avoids criminal liability.
• The company must pay a fine of $1.1 billion, part of which will go to the victims' families.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island on Thursday dismissed the indictment against Boeing, related to two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. The court expressed critical remarks regarding this decision, however acknowledged that it does not have the authority to dismiss it.

This agreement is essentially a regulatory measure: Boeing acknowledges that it obstructed the FAA's investigation and must pay a fine of $1.1 billion, part of which will go to the victims' families. However, the company does not face criminal liability and will not be subject to additional federal oversight.

O'Connor critically assessed the agreement, stating that the government confirmed that Boeing committed crimes, sufficient for prosecution, but now the company can resolve its issues, hiring its own consultants instead of independent monitors.

After the Boeing disasters, the company is trying to restore its reputation, and is also benefiting from the Trump administration, which was more favorable to the company than the Biden administration. Boeing has gained the ability to self-certify its aircraft and also to increase production of the 737 MAX.

The case against Boeing was filed in January 2021 through an indictment for obstruction in the investigation of the disasters. However, at the moment the dismissal of the case against Boeing did not result in any criminal penalties, only fines.

Tags: USA/Aviation/Crime