Statute of Limitations Expired
Boeing executives are unlikely to face criminal charges for the fatal 2018 and 2019 crashes that resulted in 346 deaths, as the statute of limitations has likely expired, according to U.S. Justice Department officials. This information was disclosed to the victims’ family members in a recent meeting.
Meeting details and correspondence
The details of the meeting were confirmed by an individual familiar with the gathering and through correspondence reviewed by Reuters. The deadline for prosecuting most federal crimes is five years.
Deferred prosecution agreement violation
In mid-May, the Justice Department determined that Boeing had violated a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement (DPA), which had previously shielded the company from criminal charges related to the crashes. The agreement required Boeing to comply with specific terms over three years, ending January 7, 2024.
However, an incident two days before the agreement expired highlighted safety and quality issues. A panel blew off a new Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet during a January 5 Alaska Airlines flight.
Response Deadline
Boeing has until June 13 to contest the department’s finding that it violated the 2021 agreement. Officials have until July 7 to inform a federal judge in Texas of their plans.
Boeing’s Statement
“We have honored the terms of the agreement,” Boeing stated on Saturday. The Justice Department has yet to respond to requests for comment.
The department is considering several options, including prosecuting Boeing, extending the DPA by a year, entering a new DPA, or reaching a non-prosecution agreement that does not involve court supervision. Officials might also negotiate a plea deal with Boeing or take the company to trial.
Potential charges
Boeing could face charges for its conduct during the DPA’s term. However, prosecutors have not found evidence of any felonies committed during that period, according to a source familiar with the meeting.
Victims’ family members are contemplating requesting an enhanced sentence should Boeing be prosecuted and convicted. During the meeting, Justice Department officials indicated they might not be able to prove cases of federal manslaughter or fraud involving aircraft parts beyond a reasonable doubt, added the person familiar with the meeting.