The Department of Justice has reached out to the families affected by the tragic Boeing 737 Max crashes, indicating an imminent decision regarding Boeing's compliance with a 2021 agreement that spared the company from criminal prosecution. The letter, obtained by ABC News, was sent by the department's fraud section, inviting families to a May 31 meeting to discuss whether Boeing breached the deferred prosecution agreement (DPA).
If the Justice Department determines that Boeing violated the terms of the agreement, it could lead to a significant criminal prosecution against the aerospace giant, potentially impacting the aviation industry. Robert Clifford, an attorney representing crash victims' families, expressed disappointment with the department's lack of transparency in explaining how they are evaluating Boeing's compliance with the agreement. However, he noted that such non-disclosure is typical in investigations.
The upcoming meeting will be the fourth between the Justice Department and the families of the crash victims.
These families have long accused the DOJ of striking a "sweetheart deal" with Boeing. Attorneys for the victims argue that since the agreement was made, there have been allegations of misconduct, including claims from whistleblowers, which Boeing has denied. They also point to safety lapses, such as the recent door plug incident on an Alaska Airlines flight, which is under federal investigation.
Mark Lindquist, an attorney representing several victims' families, believes that the evidence suggests Boeing violated the DPA. He emphasized that the essence of a deferred prosecution agreement is to prevent further misconduct, which Boeing failed to do.
The DOJ's letter states that families will meet with attorneys for seven hours on May 31 to discuss the decision and potential next steps, allowing families to provide input. Boeing declined to comment on the matter, while a DOJ spokesperson did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
Boeing's President and CEO, David Calhoun, previously acknowledged the company's failure to meet expectations and emphasized the importance of transparency with regulators.