The case is being closely watched as a bellwether for how the Justice Department under President Donald Trump handles high-profile corporate prosecutions. Last year, under the Biden administration, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to criminal conspiracy and pay a fine, but that deal was scrapped by O’Connor, who objected to parts of the agreement. Boeing and the Justice Department have been in talks on a revised agreement.
According to the Saturday filing, a proposed framework for the nonprosecution agreement being discussed would include the maximum fine allowed by statute, require Boeing to spend on improving its compliance, retain an independent monitor and create another fund to compensate the families. If a deal is struck, prosecutors would then file a motion dismissing the criminal case, which is set for trial June 23.
The Justice Department said it won’t decide whether to enter the settlement agreement or proceed to trial until after it has finished conferring with the families. Prosecutors gave the families, who want the Boeing case to go to trial, until May 22 to provide written statements.
The case is US v. Boeing, 21-cr-005, US District Court, Northern District of Texas (Fort Worth).
