Judge Rejects Boeing Plea Deal Over DEI Concerns

Debris is carried at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 11, 2019. A spokesman says Ethiopian Airlines has gro

A federal judge in Texas has rejected a plea deal that would have allowed Boeing to plead guilty to a felony conspiracy charge and pay a fine for misleading U.S. regulators about the 737 Max jetliner. The judge raised concerns about diversity, inclusion, and equity policies potentially influencing the selection of an official to oversee Boeing's compliance with the agreement.

The ruling has created uncertainty around the criminal prosecution of Boeing in connection with the development of its popular airline plane. The judge has given Boeing and the Justice Department 30 days to decide on their next steps, which could include negotiating a new plea agreement or moving towards a trial.