Boeing and DoJ – A Travesty of Justice?

Boeing and the United States Department of Justice, DoJ, have reached yet another plea agreement resulting from the crashes of two 737 MAX aircraft in 2018 and 2019.  This latest agreement differs from the last agreement between the parties that was rejected by a Federal Court judge in Texas last year, citing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion actions as a reason to reject the agreement.  That agreement would have resulted in Boeing pleading guilty to a felony, which somehow is now missing from the latest agreement.

A felony conviction could have become disqualifying for Boeing, as it bids on federal government contracts.  Of course, that would be a disaster for the largest US defense contractor.  When the prior agreement that the judge threw out was released, we were quite surprised that Boeing would accept the felony conviction and admission of guilt.  Somehow, both the DOJ and the company have now changed their mind, albeit the circumstances of Boeing’s actions have not changed.