Would Boeing Murder a Whistleblower?

Summary

The transcript discusses the suspicious death of John Barnett, a former Boeing employee and whistleblower, who was found dead in his car during the final day of depositions in his case against Boeing. Barnett was known for raising safety concerns about the 787 Dreamliner. The circumstances of his death have led to speculation about foul play, especially given Boeing's history and the timing. The conversation also touches on Boeing's corporate culture, legal issues, and the potential need for significant management changes to address the company's quality control and ethical challenges.

Takeaways

• 🚨 John Barnett, a former Boeing employee and whistleblower regarding safety issues in the production of the 787 Dreamliner, was found dead in his car on March 9th, 2024.
• 💭 The death was reported by mainstream media as an apparent suicide, but suspicions of foul play exist due to the timing and circumstances surrounding his death.
• 🗣 Barnett had previously expressed concerns about his safety and warned a family friend not to accept any official narrative of his death as a suicide.
• 🔍 The Charleston Police Department is investigating the case, but no federal agencies have been involved as of the time of the interview.
• 🤝 John Barnett's former colleagues and a former Boeing executive discussed the case, with some expressing fear and the belief that Boeing might have been involved in his death.
• 🔫 Barnett was found with a gunshot wound and a silver pistol, the ownership of which has not been confirmed. An object resembling a note was also found in the car.
• 📉 Boeing's morale is reported to be very low, with long-time employees feeling a sense of betrayal and disappointment due to the company's recent actions and focus on stock price.
• 🛫 Despite the 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in 346 deaths, Boeing managed to avoid significant legal repercussions through a deferred prosecution agreement.
• 💼 The agreement was criticized for being too lenient on Boeing and for its similarities to the non-prosecution agreement given to Jeffrey Epstein in 2007.
• 🌐 The interviewee suggests that Boeing needs a management overhaul and questions whether the company can truly course correct with stock performance driving executive compensation.
• 🔄 The discussion highlights the broader issue of corporate ethics, the role of financialization in industry, and the potential need for a shift in values and priorities within Boeing.

Q & A

Who was John Mitchell Barnett and why was he notable?

John Mitchell Barnett was a former Boeing employee turned whistleblower. He was known for his substantial safety and quality reports to the Federal Aviation Administration concerning Boeing's production of the 787 Dreamliner. He also appeared in the 2022 Netflix documentary 'Downfall: The Case Against Boeing'.

When and how did John Barnett die?

John Barnett died on March 9th, 2024. He was found dead in his car in the parking lot of his hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, on the final day of depositions in his whistleblower case against Boeing. His death was reported as an apparent suicide, with him found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

What suspicions arose from the timing of John Barnett's death?

The timing of John Barnett's death sparked suspicions of foul play, as it occurred on the final day of depositions in his whistleblower case against Boeing. Furthermore, Barnett had previously cautioned a family friend not to accept any official narratives about his death as a suicide.

What was the reaction of John Barnett's former colleagues and a former Boeing executive to his death?

John Barnett's former colleagues and a former Boeing executive were open to the notion that Boeing might have been involved in his death. One of his former co-workers, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed fear and stated that if anything happened to them, it wouldn't be suicide.

What was the context of the discussion with the criminal profiler from the FBI?

The criminal profiler from the FBI, who had worked on the Unibomber case, discussed the potential assassination of John Barnett. He suggested that the manner of Barnett's death could be seen as a warning sign, not necessarily to prevent him from testifying, but to deter others who might consider blowing the whistle in the future.

What was the outcome of the 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019?

The 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 resulted in the deaths of 346 people (189 in the first crash and 157 in the second). After the first crash, it was clear to everyone at Boeing that another crash was imminent, yet they did not ground the plane. Instead, they authorized $20 billion in additional share buybacks and introduced a program to effectively eliminate quality control.

What was the deferred prosecution agreement signed by Boeing on January 6, 2021?

The deferred prosecution agreement signed by Boeing on January 6, 2021, was an agreement with the Justice Department not to prosecute the company. The DOJ stated that the problems found within Boeing were not systemic and involved very few people, which was later criticized as a sweetheart deal similar to the one Jeffrey Epstein received in 2007.

What changes occurred within Boeing's leadership after the 737 Max crashes?

After the 737 Max crashes, there was a leadership reshuffle at Boeing. Dave Calhoun, who was stepping down along with other executives at the end of the year, had a robust exit package tied to the company's stock price in the coming years.

What is the opinion of the investigations editor at the American Prospect on Boeing's future?

The investigations editor at the American Prospect believes that Boeing needs an extreme management overhaul and that the stock price should not be the primary driver of executive compensation. They suggest that Boeing needs a leader who believes in building companies and quality, as it has become clear that Boeing has lost the ability to competently build an airplane.

What was the role of Kirkland and Ellis law firm in the deferred prosecution agreement for Boeing?

Kirkland and Ellis law firm played a significant role in drafting the deferred prosecution agreement for Boeing. The firm's senior partners were involved, and the agreement was structured similarly to the one for Jeffrey Epstein in 2007, both requiring lies and indemnifying conspirators.

What is the broader context of Boeing being a top secret military contractor?

As a top secret military contractor, Boeing is reminded that spies are everywhere, and there is a principle in US law that there are no accidental deaths during the commission of a felony. This means that Boeing's actions are closely watched when it comes to significant safety issues and potential criminal activity.