 CRIMINAL FRAUD CHARGE TO HEAD OFF A POSSIBLE TRIAL. BOWING IS ACCEPTING CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR TWO HIGH-PROFILE CRASHES INVOLVING ITS 737 MAX PLANES IN 2018 AND 2019. ACCEPTING THE DEAL MEANS BOWING IS BRANDED A FELON AND IT COULD COMPLICATE ITS LUCRATIVE CONTRACTS WITH THE PENTAGON AND NASA. THE DEAL MUST BE ACCEPTED BY A FEDERAL JUDGE. THE COMPANY SAYS IT WILL ALSO SPEND NEARLY A HALF A BILLION DOLLARS IN COMPLIANCE AND SAFETY PROGRAMS.