A former Boeing employee who had raised concerns about the company’s production standards was found dead in the United States. John Barnett, a former quality inspector at Boeing, filed a whistleblower complaint regarding safety flaws in aircraft. He was discovered deceased in his truck at a hotel in Charleston, South Carolina after a break in depositions. The family of Mr. Barnett stated that his whistleblower complaint, filed in 2017, was scheduled to go to trial in June. The death of Barnett, just before further questioning about Boeing, raises questions about his role as a whistleblower and the ongoing legal battle surrounding the aerospace company.

Background

John Barnett, aged 62, retired in 2017 after working for 32 years as a quality manager at Boeing. Throughout his career, he had raised concerns about quality control and safety issues regarding the 787 Dreamliner produced by the company. Barnett’s efforts to expose these concerns led to a separate lawsuit against Boeing. In recent days, he had been testifying against the company in depositions.

Investigation and Fallout

Authorities in Charleston, South Carolina are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Barnett’s death. While initial findings suggest it was a self-inflicted wound, a thorough investigation is underway. The tragedy has drawn attention to the broader issue of whistleblowing and its potential impact on individuals involved and the companies they expose. The case has also drawn attention to the allegations made by Barnett regarding Boeing’s safety and quality standards.

Summary

The key points of the news are:

John Barnett, a former Boeing employee and whistleblower, has been found dead in Charleston, South Carolina.

Barnett had filed a whistleblower complaint in 2017 regarding safety flaws in Boeing aircraft.

His testimony and deposition were part of an ongoing legal battle against Boeing.

The death is being investigated, with initial findings suggesting it was a self-inflicted wound.

The case raises concerns about the treatment of whistleblowers and the allegations made against Boeing in terms of safety and production standards.

Citations:

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