Petition Demands DOJ Probe into Deaths of Boeing Whistleblowers Amid Intensifying Scrutiny

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More than 25,000 individuals have signed a petition calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to launch an investigation into the recent deaths of two whistleblowers from Boeing, as the company faces heightened scrutiny. 

Organized by the progressive advocacy group MoveOn, the petition highlights the deaths of John Barnett and Joshua Dean. Barnett, a seasoned Boeing employee of 32 years, raised concerns about safety and quality control issues within the company's production line before his death in March, which was deemed an apparent suicide. Dean, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, passed away last week due to a bacterial infection after accusing the company's leadership of overlooking manufacturing defects related to the 737 Max.

 

Britt Jacovich, spokesperson for MoveOn, emphasized the urgency of investigating these tragic deaths and addressing the mounting allegations against Boeing. The company faces accusations of silencing employees who speak out about safety concerns, including Sam Salehpour, a quality engineer at Boeing, who testified before a Senate committee about retaliation for raising manufacturing process concerns related to the 787 Dreamliner fuselage.

 

Additionally, Santiago Paredes, a former quality inspector at Spirit AeroSystems, disclosed new allegations against the Boeing supplier, alleging pressure to conceal defects in airline parts. Paredes detailed being demoted after challenging changes in defect reporting protocols, only to be reinstated to a leadership role after lodging a complaint, citing threats and retaliation.

 

The spotlight on Boeing has intensified following a midair incident involving a Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft in January, where the plane's door plug blew off after takeoff, necessitating an emergency landing due to a significant hole in the aircraft's side.

 

Boeing has chosen not to comment on the matter, as concerns about safety protocols and whistleblower protection continue to reverberate within the aviation industry.

 

2024-05-11

 

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