Boeing Agrees to Plead Guilty to Criminal Fraud Over 737 MAX Crashes

Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge, marking a significant development in the company's legal troubles. The plea deal comes after federal prosecutors charged Boeing with violating a 2021 settlement related to two fatal crashes of its 737 MAX aircraft in Indonesia and Ethiopia. As part of the agreement, Boeing will pay a fine of $243.6 million and invest at least $455 million over three years in strengthening its safety and compliance programs. The company will also be subject to a third-party monitor's assessment of its safety and quality procedures.