Boeing to plead guilty in 737 MAX crash case

Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge related to the 737 Max crashes, as announced by the US Department of Justice. The deal includes a fine of nearly $250 million and a commitment to invest at least $455 million in enhancing safety measures. This agreement follows the government's determination that Boeing breached a previous agreement, exposing it to prosecution. The plea deal, subject to a federal judge's approval, also mandates Boeing to pay an additional $243.6 million fine and implement safety and compliance program improvements over the next three years. A third-party monitor will oversee these efforts and report annually on the company's progress. While the guilty plea could impact Boeing's ability to secure government contracts, it spares the company from a trial that could have further scrutinized its decisions leading to the crashes. The plea deal solely addresses Boeing's actions before the accidents and does not shield the company from other incidents. Relatives of crash victims have been briefed on the plea offer, expressing intentions to contest it in court.