The Associated Press (“AP News”) reports that Boeing will plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge stemming from two crashes of the company’s 737 MAX jetliners that killed 346 people, according to the U.S. Justice Department (“DOJ”).
Federal prosecutors gave Boeing the choice of entering a guilty plea and paying a fine as part of its sentence or facing a trial on the felony criminal charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
The plea deal, which still must receive the approval of a federal judge to take effect, calls for Boeing to pay an additional $243.6 million fine, which was the same amount the company already paid pursuant to a 2021 settlement with the DOJ. The current plea deal would also require an independent safety and quality monitor for at least three years and an investment of at least $455 million in its compliance and safety programs.
The AP News article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, hundreds of lives have already been lost and reputations damaged. When corporations (be they in manufacturing or financial management) become ‘too large to fail’, the temptation to cut corners and meet the ‘bottom line’ with maximum benefit to the shareholders can overtake the humanity of the business. The sheer dollar amounts involved can drive persons who would otherwise be of great integrity and honesty to be tempted into greed and pridefulness.
The bible tells us that dishonest business practices are offensive to the Lord, but those persons who walk with integrity, humility and moral courage will have wisdom and soundness of mind:
Proverbs 11:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
“A false balance and dishonest business practices are extremely offensive to the Lord, [b]ut an accurate scale is His delight. When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame, [b]ut with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind. The integrity and moral courage of the upright will guide them, [b]ut the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.”
The bible also tells us that the love of money (not simply having money) is the foundation of many types of evil, leading us astray from the truth of the scriptures:
1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV)
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
