This rather bizarre case is still grinding along.
Here is some recent info:
Boeing seeks info in whistleblower suit | Aviation | Wichita Eagle
Based on my experience, the cognizant Boeing personnel who would be involved with managing such issues would be Quality Control types with some technical competence rather than Purchasing types who deal with the administrative tasks. I believe when it is all unwound we will see that the QC system did address the safety and compliance issues satisfactorily, and that there is nothing more than the "normal" manufacturing specification compliance/enforcement that is involved here. It is entirely possible that these Purchasing people do not understand the issue, or have other reasons for investing ten years in what will turn out to be much about nothing.
It is very hard to imagine that plaintiff attorneys could be convinced to invest so much in such a case without learning that they are going to lose.