I would believe the words of Sully Sullenberger much quicker than the words of Boeing engineers or FAA officials and inspectors. They all have reason to be covering their own asses. Boeing stands to lose millions in lawsuits from victim's families, and some may even face criminal charges, and there are probably FAA pockets that have been lined along the way as part of the covering up of negligence on the part of Boeing.
As devastating as it may prove to be financially for Boeing and to airlines flying the 737 Max, it is unlikely that anyone will ever trust that particular model aircraft again.