FORT WORTH
A U.S. judge is set to hear objections Wednesday to a Justice Department agreement that would allow Boeing to avoid prosecution for a criminal fraud charge related to two fatal 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people. The deal, which Boeing initially accepted last year but later withdrew from, would bypass oversight by an independent monitor for three years.
Judge Reed O’Connor will consider objections from some victims’ families, who argue that dismissing the charge is not in the public interest. Paul Cassell, representing several relatives, described the agreement as “misleading and unfair” and urged the court to reject it. Boeing maintains that the executive branch holds sole authority to determine whether to prosecute.
Under the non-prosecution deal, Boeing agreed to pay an additional $444.5 million into a victims’ fund, in addition to a $243.6 million fine. Combined with prior settlements and compliance investments, the total financial commitment reaches $1.1 billion. Most families have already settled civil claims, reportedly receiving several billion dollars.
The case stems from Boeing misleading U.S. regulators about a critical flight control system on its best-selling 737 MAX. Ongoing scrutiny of the company followed a mid-air emergency in 2024 involving a new MAX 9 jet. The hearing will determine whether the Justice Department’s agreement to dismiss criminal charges stands, weighing public interest against the executive branch’s authority.
