US prosecutors recommend criminal charges against Boeing over 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people

U.S. prosecutors are recommending to senior Justice Department officials that criminal charges be brought against Boeing,according to reports.

Prosecutors are suggesting charges after finding the plane maker violated a settlement related to two fatal crashes,two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. 

In May,officials determined the company breached a 2021 agreement that had shielded Boeing from a criminal charge of conspiracy to commit fraud arising from two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 involving the 737 MAX jet.

Under the 2021 deal,the Justice Department agreed not to prosecute Boeing over allegations it defrauded the Federal Aviation Administration so long as the company overhauled its compliance practices and submitted regular reports. Boeing also agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle the investigation.

The sources did not specify what criminal charges Justice Department officials are considering,but one of the people said they could extend beyond the original 2021 fraud conspiracy charge.

Relatives of the victims of the two fatal 737 MAX crashes have long criticized the 2021 agreement

Boeing said: 'We can confirm that we received a communication today from the Justice Department,stating that the Department has made a determination that we have not met our obligations under our 2021 deferred prosecution agreement,and requesting the company's response. 

'We believe that we have honored the terms of that agreement,and look forward to the opportunity to respond to the Department on this issue. 

'As we do so,we will engage with the Department with the utmost transparency,as we have throughout the entire term of the agreement,including in response to their questions following the Alaska Airlines 1282 accident.'

Relatives of the victims of the two fatal 737 MAX crashes have long criticized the 2021 agreement,arguing that Justice Department officials should have prosecuted the company and its executives. 

The Justice Department will decide whether to pursue charges,amid increasing scrutiny over the safety of the company's planes,by July 7. 

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