Representing sixteen relatives of the victims of a catastrophic Boeing 737 Max crash, an agreement between the aviation behemoth and the US Justice Department (DOJ) is “morally repugnant”.
In a Wednesday filing, the company claimed it agreed to pay $1.1 billion (£811.5m) to avoid prosecution over two accidents that killed 346 people.
Counsel for family members of some of the victims of an Indonesian 2018 crash, Sanjiv Singh claims the agreement lets the company “sidestep true criminal accountability”.
“We are deeply sorry for their losses, and remain committed to honouring their loved ones’ memories by pressing forward with the broad and deep changes to our company,” Boeing said earlier.
The agreement calls for the firm paying families of crash fatalities $444.5 million. It will also allocate $455m to enhance its programs on compliance, safety, and quality.
Although half of that was already paid in 2021, Boeing also agreed under the arrangement to pay a criminal penalty of $487.2 million.
“Boeing is committed to fulfilling its obligations under this resolution, which include a substantial additional fine and commitments to further institutional improvements and investments,” said a company spokesman.
Should a federal judge approve the settlement, the aircraft manufacturer will evade a criminal fraud trial.
Boeing in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure noted, “The [DOJ] agreed that it will not further criminally punish the company”.
Two 737 Max aircraft crashed in separate but very identical events that claimed 346 lives.
Following an airplane crash into the Java Sea 13 minutes after take-off from Jakarta, Indonesia, all 189 people on a Lion Air flight perished in October 2018.
Six minutes following take-off from Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed in March 2019. Every 157 member of on-board perished. Problems with flight control systems connected both crashes.
Boeing promised to pay US fraud allegations in 2021 and acknowledged dishonesty in covering details about the 737 Max plane design from safety authorities.
Once a federal judge reviews this most recent agreement, relatives of the victims will have an opportunity to dispute it.
According to Mr Singh, the most recent arrangement has caused “visceral outrage” among his clients and thinks the pay-off is inadequate.
“If you look at that $1.1 billion, it’s really like Boeing paying $10 to get out from under criminal responsibility. They seemed to have a parking ticket or a misdemeanour ticket.
