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US Judge questions DOJ's decision to drop Boeing Independent Monitor

On Wednesday, a U.S. Judge held a 3-hour hearing to hear objections against a deal reached between the Justice Department of the United States and Boeing. The agreement allows Boeing to avoid prosecution for a charge arising from two fatal crashes of the 737 MAX that resulted in the deaths 346 people.

Judge Reed O'Connor, in Texas, questioned the decision of the government to hire a compliance expert instead of an independent monitor who would have overseen Boeing for three years. However, he did not issue a ruling immediately. The judge heard the anguished objections of the relatives of those who died in the crashes of Ethiopia and Indonesia in 2018.

Around two dozen relatives, some of whom came from as far away as Indonesia, Africa and Europe, traveled to the Texas Courthouse to argue Boeing shouldn't be allowed to avoid admitting guilt after agreeing last year to do so.

Ike Riffel is a Californian father who lost his two sons in the Ethiopia crash.

Boeing will not be subject to oversight by an independent observer under the agreement, but will instead hire a compliance advisor. O'Connor questioned why the government does not think a monitor is necessary.

A government lawyer stated that Boeing has made improvements and the Federal Aviation Administration provides enhanced oversight. Boeing and the federal government claim O'Connor is forced to dismiss the case, and cannot appoint a Special Prosecutor like some relatives had requested. 'Connor stated in 2023, "Boeing’s crime can be rightfully considered the most deadly corporate crime in U.S. history."

Boeing has agreed to pay $444.5 in addition to the $243.6 million fine, plus $455 million for the improvement of safety and compliance programs. The world is watching to see if American will hold Boeing accountable, said Paul Cassell who represents some victims. Boeing is essentially trying to avoid accountability by bribing their way out of it.

Boeing has not yet commented. (Reporting and editing by David Shepardson; Franklin Paul, Editor)

(source: Reuters)