Former Boeing Employee Whistleblower Found Dead Amidst Investigation
John Barnett, a 62-year-old former Boeing employee who had filed a whistleblower complaint against the company’s production standards, was found dead in his vehicle outside a Charleston hotel in South Carolina. His death is being investigated by authorities.
John Barnett had worked with Boeing for 32 years before retiring in 2017. The discovery phase of an investigation by the United States Department of Labor into his allegations were set to start in June. His attorneys, Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles released a statement expressing their shock at his sudden death.
Statements by Barnett’s Attorneys
In the statement, the attorneys praised John Barnett, calling him a brave, honest, and forthright man who cared about his family, friends, colleagues, as well as the safety of people who flew on Boeing aircraft. They expressed their devastation on the news of his death and demanded a full, accurate investigation into the circumstances of his suddenly demise.
Death Discovered after Welfare Check Request
After receiving a request for a welfare check, Charleston police officers found Barnett dead in his 2015 Dodge Ram truck, with a gunshot wound to his temple. An apparent suicide note was also found on the passenger seat of the car. The contents of the note have not yet been disclosed.
Barnett’s Whistleblower Complaint and Workplace Concerns
Barnett had alerted management on several occasions about sub-standard parts and oxygen systems with serious problems but claimed his concerns were ignored. He filed his whistleblower complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, part of the Department of Labor, accusing Boeing of creating a hostile work environment and causing him severe stress, leading to his medical leave and early retirement. Barnett’s accusations were vehemently denied by Boeing.
Barnett’s Family Discloses His Trauma
Barnett’s family also reported that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety after his time at the company. His brother, Rodney confirmed that the hostile work environment at Boeing had created a lot of stress for John, leading him to believe that it may have contributed to his death.
Former Allegations and Whistleblower Hearings
Barnett had expressed his concerns about the quality issues at Boeing’s factory in South Carolina, where he claimed he found discarded metal shavings near the flight controls wiring that could have disastrous consequences. He also claimed that faulty parts were installed in up to a quarter of the oxygen systems on the Boeing 787 jetliner, castigating Boeing for prioritizing profits over safety and accusing it of a culture of concealment.
The hearing of his whistleblower complaint is set to be heard in June, but with his death, it is unclear how the case will proceed.
In reaction to the news of Barnett’s death, Boeing released a brief statement expressing sympathy to his family.
References
Information sourced from the HERE News Network.
