‘Always Looking to Make Sure Nobody’s Following Me’: Boeing Whistleblower Fears for Life After Colleagues’ Deaths
A man blowing the whistle on manufacturing problems at a Boeing Company contractor says he’s constantly looking over his shoulder after two fellow whistleblowers also suing the company died under mysterious circumstances.
Spirit AeroSystems inspector Santiago Paredes told The Independent he doesn’t believe the conspiracy theories about assassins being hired by the airline, however, he says he’s still cautious.
“I don’t think so,” Paredes replied when asked if he thought anything nefarious occurred to the two whistleblowers who died in the past three months.
“But, you know, I’m always looking behind my mirror to make sure nobody’s car’s following me,” he added.
“I’m not saying that I’m scared, but at the same time, I can’t put a blind eye to the reality of what could be. I have to prepare myself for that,” Paredes stated.
Paredes spoke to The Independent shortly before attending a celebration of life ceremony for 45-year-old Joshua Dean, a former Boeing manager who’d called attention to issues with the company’s 737 Max airplanes.
Paredes is represented by Brian Knowles, the same attorney who represented Dean and deceased whistleblower John Barnett, asserting that his latter client was not suicidal.
Following Dean’s death, Knowles reportedly confided in Paredes that it “felt like we were in a battle and we were losing people.”
“I was in a place where I started to freak out about what we were doing – if it was even the right thing,” Paredes told The Independent. “It’s discouraging to lose people – not just friends, but friends who are with you in this battle.”
He added his mother’s also afraid for his safety, saying, “My mom has been scared… I’ve been like, ‘Nothing’s going to happen. It’s going to be all right. This is something I’ve got to do … somebody’s gotta do it.’”
The Independent writes Paredes had anonymously worked with Dean on a shareholder lawsuit last year, but he decided to go public following Dean’s death to continue highlighting problems with fuselage production.
Paredes went to CBS News earlier this month to expose how he was ordered to “play down” issues he noticed.
⚠️✈️ ??????? ?????? ????????????? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ??? ????????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? “???? ????? ???????”
— HOT SPOT (@HotSpotHotSpot) May 9, 2024
Santiago Paredes, a former quality manager for Spirit AeroSystems, says… pic.twitter.com/83TQ6dpiau
The Independent has more:
Paredes spent more than a decade as an inspector and team leader at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems before leaving in 2022 after repeatedly issuing warnings to superiors about quality control failings – which at one point resulted in his demotion, he says. Spirit AeroSystems — not to be confused with Spirit Airlines — manufactures plane components, including fuselages and wing parts, and Boeing is its largest customer.
Dean died on April 30 after a staph infection quickly progressed to pneumonia.
Before his death, Dean had told NPR earlier this year about how people shedding light on issues at the company were being retaliated against, saying, “I think they were sending out a message to anybody else. If you are too loud, we will silence you.”
Dean’s death came just months after the mysterious death of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, a former Boeing worker who sounded the alarm on problems he observed at Boeing’s North Charleston plant and was found dead in his car in a hotel parking lot in Charleston, South Carolina last March.
A Charleston Police Department investigation concluded over the weekend that Barnett died by suicide.
CNN reports: “The investigation found that Barnett was shot in the head at close range and the weapon was found in his right hand. There was also a notebook found in the front seat of the car that showed signs that “he was going through a period of serious personal distress,” according to a media release about the police investigation.”
In addition to Parades and his two deceased colleagues, there are reportedly 9 other Boeing whistleblowers also spotlighting issues with the company.
Boeing’s hitman after being told there are 10 more whistleblowers pic.twitter.com/fC3RO2aWS1
— Not Jerome Powell (@alifarhat79) May 6, 2024
Ireland: Migrant Housing Project Halted After Construction Vehicles Torched
A construction contractor tasked with building migrant housing in Clonmel, Ireland has reportedly withdrawn from the project after its heavy machinery was torched last week.
Sisk Ltd. reportedly made the decision to halt construction after the rental company decided to withhold further vehicles when several excavators were found destroyed by fire and a portable security tower equipped with cameras was vandalized Thursday.
Security workers were also assaulted by a group of individuals, with one needing hospitalization.
Footage of the site shared by locals on social media shows the scorched remains of the excavators, the partially destroyed security tower, and a hollowed-out workers marquee.
The contractor responsible for constructing 84 homes for 328 foreign nationals near in Clonmel, Ireland has withdrawn from the project due to the rental company’s decision to withhold further heavy machinery.
This decision came after two of the rental company’s excavators were… pic.twitter.com/OMuBEP1rGY— Dane (@UltraDane) May 20, 2024
? BREAKING ?
— MichaeloKeeffe (@Mick_O_Keeffe) May 20, 2024
? Clonmel
Locals have been informed that workers are abandoning the job.
A great victory for the people of Clonmel ??
Please share! pic.twitter.com/1xC3mpOVYo
⚠️ Clonmel ⚠️
— MichaeloKeeffe (@Mick_O_Keeffe) May 19, 2024
Shocking footage shows the scale of the site the government is trying to place illegal immigrants on.
The 200 year old tree can be seen in the distance.
If this goes ahead there will be thousands of foreign men moved in.
Please share! pic.twitter.com/p044kJFJP7
Other footage shows government-sanctioned big rigs leaving the area with housing units in tow as locals cheer and celebrate.
?Ireland.
— MichaeloKeeffe (@Mick_O_Keeffe) May 18, 2024
Yesterday the government went all out in an attempt to plant illegal immigrants in Doneraile, Coole and Clonmel.
All 3 attempted plantations were stopped.
The Irish will never accept mass immigration.
This is our island! pic.twitter.com/hqejjZ2ncS
The incident prompted the Gardaí, Ireland’s national police, to launch an investigation, asking witnesses to the incident, including anyone with CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage to reach out to them.
So far, no arrests have been made.
Ireland’s Department of Integration and Office of Public Works (OPW) had announced the plan to build 82 homes for 328 Ukrainian refugees in Clonmel last month.
The government’s plan is part of a program to provide short-term accommodation for about 2,600 Ukrainians at different sites across the country.
An OPW spokesperson said it was aware of the overnight incident.
“The OPW is engaging with the contractor, Sisk Ltd, in relation to site security, and An Garda Síochána in relation to the public order issues arising at the site,” she said.
The controversial project sparked protests from the Clonmel community when construction crews began cutting down a 200-year-old tree to clear the way for the migrant housing.
“The decision to cut down the historic tree has struck a chord with many residents who view it as a symbol of the town’s heritage and history,” County Local News reported last week.
? Clonmel, County Tipperary ?
— MichaeloKeeffe (@Mick_O_Keeffe) May 15, 2024
Locals confront construction workers as work begins on a facility to house immigrants.
A 200 year old tree is to be cut down in the process. pic.twitter.com/p0ewDNtLmF
#Clonmel pic.twitter.com/rvRIbdfxVv
— NewAdda (@Keithisi) May 16, 2024
“For some, the tree represents a connection to the past and a reminder of the importance of preserving natural spaces in the face of rapid urbanization. The loss of such a significant landmark has sparked emotions ranging from sadness to anger among those who hold it dear.”
⚠️ Clonmel ⚠️
— MichaeloKeeffe (@Mick_O_Keeffe) May 16, 2024
Young traveller lads arrived at the protest with their ponies.
The travelling community love Ireland and have supported protests up and down the country including this one.
This is the real Ireland.
?? pic.twitter.com/sUytmdluzu
One construction worker even resigned in protest against the housing project.
? Clonmel
— MichaeloKeeffe (@Mick_O_Keeffe) May 18, 2024
⚠️ Update
Sam, the young man who refused to take part in building an immigrant plantation yesterday, has posted an update.
He has secured new employment and is very thankful for all the donations.
God bless you all lads ??? pic.twitter.com/9jIG2AHCLa
Nevertheless, the government expects the housing project to be ready before the end of the year.
This is the latest instance of pushback from the local community against migrant housing. Last week, a similar standoff took place.
“Separately, a convoy of trucks carrying 18 modular housing units was blocked from entering a site in Coole, Co Westmeath on Friday following reports they were to be used to house asylum seekers,” The Irish Times reported. “The protest began at 4am on Friday after locals, who had received a tip-off that the units were arriving, parked cars in front of the site where they were to be installed.”
“Gardaí closed the road soon after the blockade began and put diversions in place while patrol cars were stationed at each entrance to the village.”
This comes just days after mass anti-migrant protests gripped Dublin.
It appears tensions over the Irish government’s open-border migrant policy is reaching a boiling point as the Irish people become more furious in the wake of rampant violent crime driven by the migrant “newcomers.”
Experts Warn Iran Crisis Could Trigger Final World War
Alex Jones breaks down how the helicopter crash carrying Iran’s president and top officials could lead to a wider regional conflict with Israel.
Experts Warn Iran Crisis Could Trigger Final World War pic.twitter.com/vp1YoebDR9
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) May 20, 2024
Classic Trump: Ex-President Brings Down House Railing Against Faulty Production at GOP Annual Dinner
Former President Donald Trump essentially performed stand-up comedy while on stage at an annual GOP dinner in Minnesota, hilariously blasting stage crews for bungling the setup of his podium, teleprompter and stage on Friday night.
Footage from the Lincoln Reagan dinner event in St. Paul shows Trump making light of technical issues he was experiencing on stage, while also managing to get in zingers at Joe Biden’s expense.
“But Americans are not struggling…” Trump said, before focusing his attention on his podium, remarking, “You know, this is the worst platform. Who put this stage up? This is the worst.”
We don’t deserve him pic.twitter.com/1O1xrpri5e
— joshua steinman (??,??) (@JoshuaSteinman) May 18, 2024
“The frickin’ place is falling down,” Trump declared to an eruption of laughter.
“It keeps tilting further left,” he said, adding, “Like too many other things.”
Let’s be honest we watch hockey for the fights, NASCAR for the wrecks, and Trump for when he’s not on the teleprompter ? pic.twitter.com/OumCEgyPWB
— Critically Thinking & Drinking ?????? (@TheCriticalDri1) May 18, 2024
“What a crappy contractor this was,” he added.
“Before I got up the teleprompter fell down,” Trump told the crowd, jokingly adding, “Well done, fellas. Then they wanna know why I don’t pay the bill.”
Trump starts off spicy and makes fun of Biden… if the teleprompter fell down with him, he gone. ?? pic.twitter.com/4CvSs9WVEj
— Kathy Green (@GreenKM117) May 18, 2024
“Suppose that happened to Biden. He’d go like this – ‘bye’. He’d leave,” Trump jested.
“l’ll stay with you for an hour, we’ll have some fun.”
Elsewhere during the event, Trump mocked Democrat puppet President Joe Biden with a quip on shrinkflation, and remarked he wants Biden to take a drug test before the upcoming presidential debate.
“I’m gonna demand a drug test,” Trump said, adding, “I don’t want him coming in like the State of the Union. He was high as a kite.”
Trump Considering Texas AG Ken Paxton For US Attorney General
Presidential frontrunner Donald Trump told Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth he’d consider appointing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to U.S. Attorney General if re-elected later this year.
Trump spoke with the outlet while attending Sunday’s National Rifle Association convention in Dallas, Texas.
Asked if he’d consider Paxton for U.S. Attorney General, Trump responded, “I would, actually. He’s very talented. I mean, we have a lot of people who want that one and will be very good at it. But he’s a very talented guy.”
“I fought for him when he had the difficulty, and we won,” Trump added. “He had some people really after him, and I thought it was very unfair. He’s been a very good attorney general.”
Paxton was seen accompanying Trump to court in New York City last month, signaling the pair may indeed be working out a deal.
JUST IN: Donald Trump says he would consider @KenPaxtonTX for Attorney General.
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) May 20, 2024
Texas Attorney General Paxton was in attendance at Trump’s Manhattan trial on Monday.
Paxton sued swing states in the 2020 election that made unconstitutional election law changes.
The Supreme… pic.twitter.com/MUgLL2EePh
On Sunday, Paxton secured a restraining order against a Biden administration rule that he said violates the Second Amendment.
“I am relieved that we were able to secure a restraining order that will prevent this illegal rule from taking effect. The Biden Administration cannot unilaterally overturn Americans’ constitutional rights and nullify the Second Amendment,” he posted on X after the ruling.
?BREAKING: We Just Secured A Temporary Restraining Order Against Biden Administration, Stopping Unlawful ATF Rule from Taking Effect: I am relieved that we were able to secure a restraining order that will prevent this illegal rule from taking effect. The Biden Administration… https://t.co/h8by98RVb2
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) May 20, 2024
Former Texas State Senator Don Huffines wrote, “This would be great!!” in response to the idea of Paxton becoming the nation’s attorney general.
This would be great!! @KenPaxtonTX https://t.co/dWErA4YkCx
— Don Huffines (@DonHuffines) May 20, 2024
With the election approaching, Trump will likely soon begin putting together his preferred cabinet selections.
Rapper Cardi B Won’t Endorse Biden in 2024: ‘People Got Betrayed’
Rapper Cardi B said she won’t endorse Joe Biden for president in the 2024 election because he “betrayed” his supporters and left Americans with nothing but “layers of disappointment.”
In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine last Thursday, Cardi B, real name Belcalis Almanzar, explained that under Biden, the cost of living skyrocketed, two new wars erupted, and the White House appears to be doing nothing about it.
“I feel like people got betrayed,” she said.
.@iamcardib tells Rolling Stone she won’t be voting in this year’s election.
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) May 16, 2024
“I don’t fuck with both of y’all…” Cardi B says of Trump and Biden.
Interview: https://t.co/AEqcsHcnh3 pic.twitter.com/X40w9uWUZt
“It’s just like, damn, y’all not caring about nobody. Then, it really gets me upset that there is solutions to it. There is a solution. I know there’s a solution because you’re spending billions of dollars on any f*cking thing.”
Cardi B has become so disillusioned that she won’t even vote in the upcoming election.
“I don’t fuck with both of y’all niggas,” she said of Biden and former President Donald Trump.
She also blasted Biden’s continuous support of the wars in Ukraine and Israel that have resulted in hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayer assistance that could have been used to help Americans in need.
“[America] don’t pay for endless wars for countries that have been going through sh*t for a very long time,” she said. “There’s countries [where] kids are getting killed every single day, but because the [U.S.] won’t benefit from that country, they won’t help. I don’t like that America has this superhero cape on. We never did things to be superheroes. We did things for our own convenience.”
The “WAP” singer had previously declared in November that she wouldn’t endorse Biden over his support of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
She also criticized the rampant inflation when it hit 6.4% last January.
“What the f*ck is going on?” she asked at the time in a video posted on X. “Lettuce was like $2 a couple months ago and now it’s like f*cking $7, of course I’m [going to] say something. The f*ck?”
PSA!!!! pic.twitter.com/YpJmHmuT2D
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) January 5, 2023
“Cuz if I think that shit I crazy, I can only imagine what middle-class people or people in the hood motherf*ckin’ thinking. So yes, I’m going to say something.”
Cardi B had endorsed Biden for the 2020 presidential election before interviewing him via Zoom days later.
Cardi B shares her hopes and dreams for America in new interview with Joe Biden for @ElleMagazine. pic.twitter.com/AsgievjbDa
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 17, 2020
This comes amid a recent New York Times/Sienna College poll showing Biden’s support among black voters has collapsed while Trump’s has more than doubled since 2020.