Judge Approves Pilot Flying J Settlements, More Lawsuits Still Planned

((HT: WBIR-TV))

Pilot Flying J Truck Stops, owned by Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, wants to settle outside court with 8 trucking companies that are filing suit against the company. The company made the motion to settle in an Arkansas federal court. Pilot Flying J wants to resolve the civil suits ahead of the criminal case that awaits them.

Here's what Haslam is offering:

Completely reimbursing the trucking companies
Audit all accounts of trucking companies who received any rebates from the year 2008 on
Promise to pay all customers 100 percent of any money owed- with 6 percent interest
Pay all legal and associated fees and
Allow an independent accountant to go over the company's internal audit

Customers can also opt out if they want

Haslam released a statement today saying in part: "I commend all of these individuals for their hard work and dedication to ensuring our customers are paid back quickly and fairly for any potential discrepancies found in their accounts."

The same federal judge overseeing the case will give the yay or nay in November.

Here's the latest from Knoxville...
Here's the settlement motion, thanks to our friends at WVLT-TV
The eight firms looking to settle are:

National Trucking Financial Reclamation Services, LLC.
Bruce Taylor
Edis Trucking
Jerry Floyd
Mike Campbell
Paul Otto
Townes Trucking, Inc.
R&R Transportation, Inc.

Pilot Flying J is not admitting any wrongdoing or include any punitive damages, and Pilot Flying J says they won't do any more shenanigans with their rebate policy. And it's because the company is not admitting any wrongdoing that some lawyers attached to the class action suit are looking to opt out and file separately...

The HQ is thinking that this is just getting warmed up...

Haslam Announces Pilot Flying J Changes, Not Taking Questions...

((HT: WBIR-TV))

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam decided to give a rather lengthy statement addressing accusations with his truck stop corporation- Pilot/Flying J...

He took no questions and maintains that the actions involving the federal investigation in Knoxville will not effect his activity as the new owner of the Cleveland Browns.

Here's the presser/reading/recounting of the last week of Haslam's life...

The key for Haslam and Pilot/Flying J is to figure out how to address the issues in and around VP/Sales John Freeman- who was heard on tape saying that Haslam knew about the rebate scam that he is accused of holding back from the independent and smaller trucking companies involved in the complaint.

DEVELOPING: Jimmy Haslam Might Be In Big Trouble

((HT: WBIR-TV/Cleveland Plain Dealer, Caniglia))

Business may have picked up for Pilot/Flying J truck stop and Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam- and not in a good way.

Documents filed in federal court maintain that Haslam knew about fraud committed by sales reps who targeted trucking companies through their rebate program. The documents also say that Haslam was present for discussions. Confidential informants were used to gather information against the company starting in 2011.

The 120-page affidavit led to Monday's search warrant on Pilot/Flying J's headquarters. The reps reportedly withheld the rebates to improve the company's bottom line and give the sales department higher commissions.

From Caniglia:

The affidavit makes clear what Haslam knew: "(A confidential informant) further advised that the rebate fraud has occurred with the knowledge of Pilot's current President Mark Hazelwood and Pilot's Chief Executive Officer James A. "Jimmy" Haslam III due to the fact that the rebate fraud-related activities have been discussed during sales meetings in Knoxville, Tenn., in which Hazelwood and Haslam have been present."

Here was the party line from Pilot/Flying J

Browns Owner Haslam Has Flying J Under Investigation

((HT: WBIR-TV))

Pilot/Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam addressed the recent federal investigation into his company this afternoon as the IRS and FBI swirl around his Knoxville headquarters.

Haslam said this has never happened to Pilot/Flying J before and thinks the investigation doesn't involve tax issues. During the press conference, Haslam said his employees "run a tight ship," and the company is conducting its own internal investigation.

He thinks the investigation centers around unpaid rebates- a point Pilot/Flying J disputes...

Eastern District US Attorney Bill Killian confirmed that a total of four search warrants were issued and served to Pilot Flying J, but a spokesperson says it's only two.

Pilot Flying J claims not to know why the investigation continues...

Here's the Haslam presser from this afternoon...