**Title:** DOJ Weighs Boeing Agreement Amid 737 Max Crash Probes
**Meta Description:** The DOJ is considering a non-prosecution agreement with Boeing related to the 737 Max crashes, while victim families demand accountability.
**URL Slug:** doj-boeing-agreement-737-max-crashes
**Headline:** DOJ Considers Non-Prosecution Agreement with Boeing Amid 737 Max Crash Investigations
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has informed a federal judge in Texas that it has not yet made a decision regarding a potential agreement with Boeing Co. that could lead to the dismissal of a criminal charge linked to the tragic 737 Max crashes that resulted in the loss of 346 lives. Federal prosecutors are currently allowing the families of the victims another opportunity to express their views on the matter.
On Friday, government attorneys held a two-hour briefing with the families, discussing a “possible framework” for a non-prosecution agreement with Boeing. However, they clarified that no draft agreement has been shared between the company and the prosecutors, as noted in a court filing submitted to U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, who is overseeing the ongoing criminal proceedings related to the incidents from 2018 and 2019.
This case is being closely monitored as a significant indicator of how the DOJ, under the Trump administration, approaches high-profile corporate prosecutions. Last year, Boeing had agreed to plead guilty to criminal conspiracy and pay a fine, but that arrangement was rejected by Judge O’Connor due to concerns over certain aspects of the deal. Since then, Boeing and the DOJ have been engaged in discussions to revise the agreement.
Families of the victims have made it clear that they oppose any arrangement that would allow Boeing to evade responsibility for its involvement in the crashes. Erin Applebaum, a partner at Kreindler & Kreindler, emphasized, “If they won’t try the case, there has to be a guilty plea alongside a strong plea deal.”
According to the recent court filing, the proposed framework for the non-prosecution agreement under consideration would include the maximum statutory fine, require Boeing to invest in compliance improvements, appoint an independent monitor, and establish a fund to compensate the families. If an agreement is reached, prosecutors would subsequently file a motion to dismiss the criminal case, which is currently scheduled for trial on June 23.
The DOJ has stated that it will not finalize its decision on whether to pursue the settlement or proceed to trial until after consulting with the families. Prosecutors have given the families, who are advocating for the case to go to trial, until May 22 to submit written statements.
**FAQ**
**Q: What is the status of the DOJ’s negotiations with Boeing regarding the 737 Max crashes?**
A: The DOJ is currently considering a non-prosecution agreement with Boeing but has not yet made a decision. They are consulting with the families of the crash victims before finalizing their approach.
