US District Court Judge Reed O’Connor has rejected a plea deal between Boeing and the Department of Justice, citing inappropriate diversity and inclusion provisions regarding the appointment of an independent safety monitor.
The court expressed concerns over the plea deal’s vague commitments to diversity in hiring the monitor, arguing that it undermines public trust and may compromise the integrity of Boeing’s compliance oversight.
The ruling received support from families of victims of past Boeing crashes, who criticized the deal as too lenient, insisting on greater accountability and wanting the company to face significant financial repercussions.
Following the court’s rejection, the parties have 30 days to submit a revised plea deal, potentially leading to a more stringent agreement focused on ensuring Boeing’s accountability and the public’s safety.
