Two influential U.S. senators are urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reject a proposed deal with Boeing that would allow the aviation giant to sidestep criminal prosecution over its role in two fatal 737 MAX crashes. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal are calling for accountability in what they describe as a critical moment for corporate justice in America.
In a strongly worded letter sent on Friday, the Democratic senators warned the DOJ not to offer Boeing a non-prosecution agreement. They argue that such a deal would let the company dodge consequences for its “failed corporate culture” and alleged illegal conduct that led to the deaths of 346 people in crashes in Indonesia (2018) and Ethiopia (2019).
“DOJ must not sign a non-prosecution agreement with Boeing that would allow the company to weasel its way out of accountability,” the senators wrote. “Any deal between DOJ and Boeing that would let the company and its executives off the hook would be a serious mistake.”
Boeing and the DOJ have yet to respond publicly to the senators’ demands.
Paul Cassell, a lawyer representing families of the crash victims, echoed the senators’ concerns. He called the proposed deal a “miscarriage of justice,” arguing it would allow Boeing to avoid a trial and oversee its own compliance—essentially becoming its own probation officer without the supervision of an independent monitor.
The DOJ had outlined a tentative deal earlier this month to prevent Boeing from going to trial on June 23. The trial relates to allegations that Boeing misled the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), a critical flight control system blamed for both crashes.
While Boeing initially agreed last year to plead guilty and pay up to $487.2 million in fines, prosecutors now say Boeing has backed away from that plea following a judge’s rejection of the earlier agreement in December.
As part of the revised deal, Boeing may be required to contribute an additional $444.5 million to a victim compensation fund—on top of the $500 million it already paid in 2021. Each victim’s family would receive an equal portion.
Meanwhile, Boeing continues to face increased regulatory pressure. After a terrifying mid-air incident in January 2024 involving an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 missing four bolts, the FAA has restricted Boeing’s production to a maximum of 38 planes per month.
The stakes are high not just for Boeing, but for public trust in the justice system. With pressure mounting from lawmakers, victims’ families, and the public, the DOJ’s next move could set a precedent for how the U.S. holds powerful corporations accountable for deadly mistakes.
