Boeing agrees to plead guilty to defrauding US regulators but escapes punishment sought by victims' families

Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States and potentially pay up to $487 million in fines to avoid prosecution, according to the Justice Department. The fine is a fraction of the amount that families of crash victims wanted the aircraft maker to pay. The families of victims of two fatal crashes of the 737 Max oppose the deal. Boeing will be under the oversight of an independent monitor for three years. The guilty plea is a severe blow to the reputation of Boeing, a company once known for the quality and safety of its commercial jets.