[JURIST] Reuters is reporting that Boeing's former CFO has pleaded guilty to aiding in the illegal hiring of an Air Force official.

12:10 PM ET - Former Boeing CFO Michael Sears pleaded guilty to a single count of aiding and abetting illegal employment negotiations. Boeing hired a top Air Force procurement officer who has admitted she gave Boeing preferential treatment on a $23 billion tanker contract. AP has more.

2:39 PM ET - Boeing has now issued a statement on the plea:

We believe the Statement of Facts reinforces what we have said before -- that no Boeing executive other than Mr. Sears engaged in any wrongdoing in connection with Ms. Druyun's hiring. Boeing officials believed that Mr. Sears and Ms. Druyun were fully complying with all appropriate Boeing and DOD procedures in his recruitment efforts.

One year ago, Boeing dismissed Mr. Sears and Ms. Druyun because an internal investigation concluded they had violated Boeing hiring policies and ethical standards. Boeing immediately brought the matter to the attention of the appropriate authorities and cooperated with them throughout the investigative process.