In a significant legal development, a federal judge has mandated that Boeing Co. and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) provide detailed explanations of how diversity and inclusion policies influence the selection of an independent monitor. This requirement is part of the ongoing proceedings regarding Boeing's plea deal to plead guilty to conspiring to defraud regulators. The plea deal, which aims to avoid a potentially embarrassing trial, includes a three-year oversight by an independent monitor.

U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor, who is overseeing the case, has set a deadline of October 25 for Boeing and the DOJ to respond to questions about the DOJ's policy on selecting a monitor in line with the government's commitment to diversity and inclusion. This order comes as Judge O'Connor deliberates whether to approve Boeing's agreement, which involves a $487.2 million fine and a commitment to spend at least $455 million on safety and compliance improvements over three years.

The plea deal is a response to the fallout from two fatal 737 MAX crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which resulted in the deaths of 346 people. The crashes have led to intense scrutiny of Boeing's practices and have prompted calls for greater accountability and transparency.

While the DOJ has assured compliance with the judge's order, Boeing has not yet commented on the matter. The case has seen differing opinions, with attorneys for Boeing and the DOJ advocating for the acceptance of the plea deal, while lawyers representing the victims' families have urged its rejection.

This development highlights the ongoing challenges Boeing faces in restoring its reputation and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, as well as the broader implications of diversity and inclusion policies in corporate governance and legal proceedings.