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New York Post
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Families of victims in crashes plan objection to Boeing's deal with DOJ
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly informed victims' families of two fatal Boeing 737 MAX8 aircraft crashes that it is dismissing criminal fraud charges against the airplane manufacturer, though families plan to object to the filing. Clifford Law Offices said in a news release that the DOJ sent a letter to families on Thursday, informing them the government agency had filed a motion to dismiss the criminal fraud matter against Boeing. Instead, the DOJ said it filed a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) against Boeing regarding two 737 MAX 8 planes that crashed six years ago and killed 346 people. The DOJ sent the letter as part of the federal Crime Victims' Rights Act, which requires it to inform crime victims of their actions. Pro bono lawyer Paul Cassell, who also works as a professor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, represents several families of victims, and they have advised U.S. District Court Judge Reed O'Connor about their intentions to object to the DOJ's motion. 4 The Department of Justice has reportedly informed victims' families of two fatal Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft crashes that it is dismissing criminal fraud charges against the airplane manufacturer. AP The families were informed nearly a week after the DOJ said it had struck a tentative deal with Boeing that allows the company to avoid criminal prosecution for allegedly misleading regulators about the company's 737 Max plane before two crashes that killed 346 people. Under the deal, Boeing will pay out $1.1 billion, including $445 million to a fund for the crash victims' families, the DOJ said in court documents last week. In exchange, the DOJ will dismiss a fraud charge against the aircraft manufacturer. 4 The DOJ said it filed a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) against Boeing regarding two 737 MAX 8 planes that crashed six years ago and killed 346 people. REUTERS The DOJ did not immediately respond to FOX Business's request for comment on the matter. The news release noted that the families had been asking for a meeting with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi since Feb. 6, with hopes of meeting before a final decision was made. The law firm said the families had never heard back, as of Thursday. 4 Forensics investigators and recovery teams collect personal effects and other materials from the crash site of Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 on March 12, 2019 in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Getty Images 'Boeing must continue to improve the effectiveness of its anti-fraud compliance and ethics program and retain an independent compliance consultant,' the department said last week. 'We are confident that this resolution is the most just outcome with practical benefits.' Last year, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge after two fatal 737 Max crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019. The company previously agreed to pay a fine of up to $487.2 million and face three years of independent oversight. The deal announced last Friday did not go over well with relatives of those killed in the crashes. 4 U.S. investigators examine recovered parts of the Lion Air jet that crashed into the sea on Monday, at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. AP 'This kind of non-prosecution deal is unprecedented and obviously wrong for the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history. My families will object and hope to convince the court to reject it,' Cassell said. Boeing has faced increased scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) since January 2024, when a new Max 9 missing four key bolts had a midair emergency, losing a door plug, Reuters reported. The FAA has capped production at 38 planes per month. Last year, the DOJ found Boeing had violated a 2021 agreement that shielded the plane-maker from prosecution.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Boeing paying $1.1B as DOJ dismisses criminal fraud case; families of victims in crashes set to object to deal
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly informed victims' families of two fatal Boeing 737 MAX8 aircraft crashes that it is dismissing criminal fraud charges against the airplane manufacturer, though families plan to object to the filing. Clifford Law Offices said in a news release that the DOJ sent a letter to families on Thursday, informing them the government agency had filed a motion to dismiss the criminal fraud matter against Boeing. Instead, the DOJ said it filed a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) against Boeing regarding two 737 MAX8 planes that crashed six years ago and killed 346 people. The DOJ sent the letter as part of the federal Crime Victims' Rights Act, which requires them to inform crime victims of their actions. Justice Department Strikes Tentative Deal Allowing Boeing To Escape Criminal Charges In Fatal 737 Max Crashes Pro bono lawyer Paul Cassell, who also works as a professor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, represents several families of victims, and they have advised U.S. District Court Judge Reed O'Connor about their intentions to object to the DOJ's motion. Read On The Fox Business App The families were informed nearly a week after the DOJ said it had struck a tentative deal with Boeing that allows the company to avoid criminal prosecution for allegedly misleading regulators about the company's 737 Max plane before two crashes that killed 346 people. Under the deal, Boeing will pay out $1.1 billion, including $445 million to a fund for the crash victims' families, the DOJ said in court documents last week. Dc Plane Crash: Victim's Family Seeks $250 Million In First Legal Action Since Deadly Collision In exchange, the DOJ will dismiss a fraud charge against the aircraft manufacturer. The DOJ did not immediately respond to FOX Business' request for comment on the matter. The news release noted that the families had been asking for a meeting with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi since Feb. 6, with hopes of meeting before a final decision was made. The law firm said the families had never heard back, as of Thursday. "Boeing must continue to improve the effectiveness of its anti-fraud compliance and ethics program and retain an independent compliance consultant," the department said last week. "We are confident that this resolution is the most just outcome with practical benefits." Dc Plane Crash: Airport Employees Arrested Over Leaked Video Of Midair Collision Last year, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge after two fatal 737 Max crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019. The company previously agreed to pay a fine of up to $487.2 million and face three years of independent oversight. The deal announced last Friday did not go over well with relatives of those killed in the crashes. "This kind of non-prosecution deal is unprecedented and obviously wrong for the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history. My families will object and hope to convince the court to reject it," Cassell said. Boeing has faced increased scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) since January 2024, when a new Max 9 missing four key bolts had a midair emergency, losing a door plug, Reuters reported. The FAA has capped production at 38 planes per month. Last year, the DOJ found Boeing had violated a 2021 agreement that shielded the plane-maker from prosecution. FOX Business' Louis Casiano contributed to this article source: Boeing paying $1.1B as DOJ dismisses criminal fraud case; families of victims in crashes set to object to deal
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Diddy Makes 'Intimidating' Request to Judge About Witnesses
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Federal prosecutors have pushed back against Sean "Diddy" Combs' request for witnesses to be banned from speaking to their lawyers during breaks in cross-examination, stating this action would "risk intimidating victim-witnesses." Preventing a witness from speaking to their lawyer would also "risk creating a chilling effect on the willingness of other victims to testify at trials if they can be prohibited from seeking the support of their attorneys while being cross-examined by attorneys for their abusers," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton of the prosecutorial team, who submitted the letter with several other assistant U.S. attorneys. They have also pushed back against Combs' request for a witness currently testifying under the pseudonym "Mia" to testify under her own name. In another letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, Clayton said this request from Combs — who is in court on charges of racketeering, conspiracy, and sex trafficking — would risk creating "psychological, emotional, and professional harms" for the witness. Sean Diddy Combs listens during opening statements on the first day of trial in Manhattan federal court, Monday, May 12, 2025, in New York. Sean Diddy Combs listens during opening statements on the first day of trial in Manhattan federal court, Monday, May 12, 2025, in New York. Elizabeth Williams/AP Photo Why It Matters Federal prosecutors say there is no precedent for witnesses not being allowed to talk to their lawyers between cross-examinations, and that the sensitive nature of this case creates even more need for the witnesses to turn to their lawyers for legal and emotional support. They also said that preventing witnesses from accessing their lawyers could violate the Crime Victims' Rights Act, which, per Clayton, "places limits on the Courts' ability to sequester victims." According to prosecutors, the former music mogul has a history of coercion and threatening actions and now he is attempting to engage in "intimidating" behavior in the courthouse. What To Know The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul was arrested in New York City in September 2024. His initial charges came months after a video was released by CNN of him physically attacking his then-girlfriend, Cassandra Ventura, known as "Cassie," in a Los Angeles hotel. Combs' defense team says the video shows a "glimpse into a complex but decade-long consensual relationship." He was then charged with numerous federal crimes. His indictment for racketeering reads: "The defendant engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals. The abuse was, at times, verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual." Combs denies all charges. Cassie spoke about her relationship with the defendant in court on May 13. She said Combs would "mash me in my head" and "beat me too frequently." Per Cassie's testimony, "There were violent arguments that would usually result in some sort of physical different things of that nature." She spoke directly to the CNN video taken from the hotel security camera. She said that incident was from her deciding in the moment to leave Combs in his hotel room. She told the jury he followed her to the hallway and "grabbed me, shoved me to the ground, kicked me, and dragged me back to the room and took my stuff." Cassie Ventura takes an oath before testifying in Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in New York. Cassie Ventura takes an oath before testifying in Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in New York. Elizabeth Williams/Associated Press Cassie, who testified while eight-and-a-half-months pregnant, also touched on the "freak-offs," which are likely going to play a large part in the rest of the trial. These were allegedly sex parties held by Combs. According to Cassie, these could last several days, and often the room ended up being stained with blood and urine. She did not want to engage in these parties, but told the court she was too afraid to refuse. Cassie is the central witness in the trial, but the prosecution has asked the presiding judge to deny Combs' attempts to change how several other people are set to testify against him. When defending the right for "Mia" to give testimony under a pseudonym, the prosecution said this is in order to protect her reputation and her privacy. The prosecution told Judge Subramanian that "Mia" has never come forward about her alleged abuse publicly or privately, and forcing her to testify under her real name could result in "harassment and reprisals," something the court has already determined to be a legitimate fear. Her name would only remain private in public materials, since the trial is not being televised, meaning the defense knows who she is and is permitted to use her real name outside of the courthouse when conducting their own investigations. According to prosecutors, forcing her to testify under her real name would make no material difference to the defense, as they already know her real name. It would only serve to create reputational and potentially physical risks for "Mia" as her real name would be available to the public and the press. Combs' defense team so far appears to be preparing to make the case that Combs has abused drugs and engaged in domestic violence, but is not a criminal mastermind with a racketeering or sex trafficking enterprise. In his opening statement to the court, defense attorney Teny Geragos told jurors that Combs is a "flawed individual," but did not commit the federal crimes he is accused of. What People Are Saying US Attorney Jay Clayton: "Indeed, there is good reason in this case to allow witnesses the ability to speak with their own attorneys, given that much of the witness testimony in this case will cover extremely sensitive subjects, will include witness' descriptions of their own involvement in potentially illegal activity, touch upon potentially privileged areas." Defense attorney Teny Geragos told jurors: "We will not shy away from the things he did, but we will not own the things he did not do. He is physical, he is a drug user, you may know of his love of baby oil. Is that a federal crime? No." What Happens Next The trial at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in lower Manhattan, New York City, is expected to last for at least eight weeks. Combs' innocence or guilt will be determined by the 12-person jury. If convicted, he could face a life sentence in prison. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673, or contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) helpline via their website
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sean Combs Loses Bid to Delay Racketeering and Sex Trafficking Trial
A federal judge has denied Sean Combs' request for a two-month delay of his upcoming criminal trial on charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. At a Friday morning hearing in Manhattan, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said the trial will proceed as planned on May 5, according to Inner City Press. Combs, 55, asked for the delay earlier this month, saying he needed more time to prepare after prosecutors filed a third superseding indictment with a new sex trafficking count for Victim 2. Prosecutors opposed the delay, arguing in court filings that the new charge was hardly 'substantially new conduct,' considering prosecutors quoted from Victim 2's messages to Combs back during his initial bail arguments last Fall. They said the messages implicated Combs in her alleged trafficking. More from Rolling Stone Menendez Brothers' Lawyer Wants DA 'Thrown Off' Case, Resentencing Hearing Delayed Drake Claims NFL Censoring 'Not Like Us' During Super Bowl Backs His Defamation Claim Sean Combs Adds Young Thug's Lawyer to Trial Team 'The government has consistently described Victim-2 as a victim of sex trafficking,' prosecutors argued in a letter to the court on Wednesday. They said the first superseding indictment, returned by the grand jury on January 30, 2025, also 'explicitly alleged' sex trafficking of Victim-2 as racketeering activity. At least three victims in the case also opposed a trial delay, prosecutors said. 'These victims have a statutory right under the Crime Victims' Rights Act to proceedings free from reasonable delay and to be treated with fairness and with respect,' prosecutors wrote. 'The defendant's adjournment request violates these rights.' Combs was arrested last September and immediately pleaded not guilty to allegations he trafficked multiple women under a 'criminal enterprise' that used violence, threats, and manipulation to fulfill his 'sexual gratification.' The Bad Boy Records founder has been in custody ever since and repeatedly denied bail. The initial indictment largely mirrored the bombshell rape and trafficking lawsuit filed by Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura in November 2023. Prosecutors didn't identify Ventura by name, but her lawyers attended his first court appearance, and she's widely known to be Victim 1. Prosecutors recently said Victim 1 was willing to proceed with her full name at trial. Victim 2 asked to proceed anonymously, prosecutors said. According to court filings, Combs reached out to the woman shortly after Ventura filed her lawsuit. The woman had contacted him to say reading Ventura's complaint was like 'reading her own sexual trauma,' according to prosecutors. 'It makes me sick how three solid pages, word for word, is exactly my experiences and my anguish,' the woman allegedly texted Combs. In another message to an unidentified person, the woman purportedly said Combs 'threatened me about my sex tapes that he has of me on two phones. He said he would expose me. Mind you, these [are] sex tapes where I am heavily drugged and doing things he asked of me for the past three years.' Earlier this week, Combs added Young Thug's high-powered defense lawyer, Brian Steel, to his trial team. In denying Combs' request to delay his trial, Judge Subramanian reportedly cited the fact that Combs now has four law firms representing him, according to Inner City Press. Steel represented Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, during the rapper's nearly two-year trial related to his YSL gang and racketeering case in Atlanta. Steel famously took a contempt charge from the original judge on that trial and was subjected to a dramatic, on-camera arrest when he refused to disclose how he'd heard about a controversial conversation between the judge, prosecutors, and a key witness. The contempt charge was ultimately dropped, and that original judge was removed from the case. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
