The mother of former Boeing quality manager and whistleblower John Barnett, who died earlier this month, told CBS News: Major aircraft manufacturer She was responsible for the harsh treatment that ultimately failed her son.
“If this hadn't gone on so long, I still have a son and my sons have a brother and we wouldn't be sitting here. So, in that respect, I am.” Vicky Stokes answered when asked. She holds Boeing partly responsible for her son's death.
Barnett was found dead in his car in a hotel parking lot on March 9 while testifying in a whistleblower case against a struggling aerospace company in Charleston, South Carolina. It's been found. He was 62 years old.
Police are still investigating his death, which the medical examiner called an apparent suicide, just before he resumed his deposition testimony against Boeing, a company he had repeatedly accused. ignore safety issues.
Stokes and her son, Rodney Barnett, said they did not want to comment on whether they believed Stokes died by suicide until the investigation by the Charleston Police Department is complete.They are he told CBS News in his first television interview. They want to see John Burnett's legacy. Fighting for the safety of the flying public Saved.
“He thought he was trying to do the right thing, and that bothered him, no one was listening to what was going on there,” said his brother Rodney Barnett. told CBS News.
John Barnett worked for the Boeing Company for 32 years, the last seven years as a quality manager. He became a whistleblower at the South Carolina factory that makes the 787 Dreamliner. He quit the company in 2017, citing stress related to his job.
During that time, he became concerned about the way the company was being run. Before his resignation, he filed an administrative complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The agency said there was no reasonable cause to believe that Boeing violated whistleblower laws. He then filed a lawsuit in 2021, citing numerous safety concerns. These include titanium shavings on power lines, faulty oxygen tanks, and managers urging them to cut corners.
Rodney Barnett said his brother told him that instead of addressing his concerns, the company retaliated against him for speaking out, saying, “You're embarrassing yourself in a meeting. You're going to be called.” Rodney said his brother was not one to back down.
In the 2022 Netflix documentary Downfall: The Case Against Boeing, John Barnett claims that his managers retaliated against him for speaking out.
“Boeing stopped listening to their employees. So every time I raised my hand and said, 'Hey, we have a problem here,' they attacked the messenger…and ignored the message.” he said in the movie.
Boeing said it reviewed and addressed the quality issues raised by John Barnett before he left the company in 2017. “We are saddened by the death of Mr. Barnett and our thoughts are with his family and friends,” the company said in a statement to CBS News.
His death comes amid a lawsuit, with Boeing questioning its safety culture, particularly recurring problems with its 737 Max planes. Including an in-flight door plug explosion Inside an Alaska Airlines plane.
Attorneys Brian Knowles and Rob Turkewitz said John Barnett worked on another plane and had expressed similar concerns.
“He was not trying to harm Boeing,” Turkewitz told CBS News, adding that he believes whistleblower laws governing aerospace workers need to be strengthened. . “He was trying to save Boeing. He saw this coming and said, 'Look, this is all going to come down to Boeing.'
Turkewitz said he asked Congress to change whistleblower laws to allow Boeing employees to resolve whistleblower complaints more quickly. He said the years John Barnett spent litigating had taken a toll. Barnett was fired by Boeing's lawyers days before his death, and Turkewitz said the testimony caused Barnett to relive painful memories.
“It was painful for him,” Turkewitz said. “I think it all came back to him.
Barnett's family told CBS News that they intend to proceed with John Barnett's whistleblower case, which is scheduled to go to trial in September. Knowles said continuing the lawsuit is about “justice and accountability.”
As the image and safety crisis continues, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said: he announced that he would resign At the end of 2024.
This story has been updated with additional information and quote.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis, 988 Lifeline for suicide and crisis You can also call 988 or send a text message. Chat with 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.
For more information, Mental health care resources and supportThe National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline is available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org receive.
