Boeing fires CFO for unethical conduct

Chief financial officer of Boeing, Michael Sears, has been dismissed for unethical conduct regarding the aerospace company's hiring of a senior Air Force procurement official.

The No 2 US military contractor said Sears violated company policies by talking to Darleen Druyun about future employment at Boeing while she was still acting in her government capacity as a procurement officer.

The company also fired Druyun, who served as an executive in Boeing's missile defense unit for less than a year.

Boeing has faced difficulties in nearly every one of its business units this year -- from weaker commercial jet deliveries to government investigations of military contracting procedures.

Chairman and CEO of the company Phil Condit, said in a statement that "compelling evidence of misconduct" had come to light in the last fortnight.

Sears, 56, who was said to have greater influence and responsibility than the typical CFO was considered a prime contender to succeed Conduit - who is 62 - as CEO upon his retirement.

Boeing named James Bell as acting CFO. He has been senior vice president of finance and corporate controller.