Exploring how wealthy defendants like Boeing get sweetheart deals for killing 346 people, contrasted with normal criminal defendants. Analysis of deferred prosecution agreements and the DOJ's leniency towards corporations. Revealing Boeing's cover-up in the 737 MAX disaster, lack of accountability, and challenges in prosecuting corporate crimes.
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Quick takeaways
Deferred prosecution agreements benefit corporations by avoiding legal trouble, contrasting with individual criminal consequences.
Boeing's profit-driven decisions led to safety oversights, resulting in fatal crashes and questioning air travel safety.
Corporate entities often receive lenient legal treatment, like Boeing's DPA, raising concerns about accountability discrepancies in the justice system.
Deep dives
Deferred Prosecution Agreements for Corporations
Deferred prosecution agreements are commonly offered to corporations to keep them out of legal trouble. These agreements allow corporations to avoid prosecution without facing jail time, unlike individuals charged with crimes. The podcast discusses how these agreements, such as the one involving Boeing, offer leniency to corporations and are often negotiated to benefit the company's stock prices and reputation.
Boeing's Safety Concerns with the 737 MAX
Boeing faced safety concerns with the 737 MAX aircraft, which resulted in two major crashes and the grounding of the plane. The crashes were attributed to a flawed system called MCAS, which automatically caused the plane's nose to pitch down, leading to aviation disasters. The podcast highlights how Boeing's drive for profits and cost-cutting measures contributed to ignoring critical safety protocols and the impact on passengers and air travel safety.
Legal Disparities Between Corporations and Individuals
The podcast scrutinizes the legal disparities between how corporations and individuals are treated within the justice system. While individuals face consequences for their actions, corporations often receive deferred prosecution agreements or non-prosecution agreements that allow them to avoid significant penalties, such as jail time. This disparity raises questions about accountability and fairness in the legal system, showcasing the preferential treatment given to corporate entities over individuals.
Boeing's Deferred Prosecution Agreement and Financial Implications
Boeing's Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) raised concerns as it involved major fraud resulting in fatalities but did not lead to substantial penalties. While the settlement appeared substantial at $2.5 billion, only $243 million was a criminal penalty, with the rest being tax deductible. A significant portion of the settlement went to airlines, not the families affected. This deal, termed illusory by experts, showcased how corporations might receive lenient treatment compared to individuals for severe misconduct.
Whistleblower John Barnett and Concerns Surrounding Boeing's Practices
John Barnett, a whistleblower at Boeing, raised alarm about issues in the production of the 787 Dreamliner. Despite his efforts, he faced personal costs and was found dead shortly after a deposition. The circumstances raised suspicions, with Barnett expressing concerns to a friend about potential harm. His case illuminates challenges faced by whistleblowers and sheds light on the complexities of holding corporations accountable for safety and ethical lapses.
Most criminal defendants can't kill 346 people and expect to get off with a light fine and three years of probation, but most criminal defendants are not The Boeing Company. In today's show, we examine the differences between different kinds of pretrial diversion agreements and why the best ones are reserved for ultra-wealthy defendants like Boeing and Jeffrey Epstein.
We then take a closer look at the DOJ's routine use of deferred prosecution agreements to help our nation's most valued citizens (corporations) avoid the unpleasant inconvenience of facing actual consequences of their actions (killing people), with a special focus on the NPA which recently resolved Boeing's recent deadly fraud involving its 737 MAX.