Two of Pilot Flying J’s
executives, Arnold Ralenkotter and Ashley Judd, have recently pleaded guilty to
the federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Many expect a number
of other executives to have criminal charges brought against them in the
near future for their participation in a scheme to reduce promised rebates to
truckers across the country. The crimes could bring prison sentences of up to
20 years. It will be interested to see if the CEO, Jimmy Haslem, will be implicated.
Haslem, who also owns the Cleveland Browns, told other NFL owners that he had no knowledge of the illegal scheme to cheat trucking companies. In a 120 page affidavit, the FBI claims that Haslem did have some knowledge of the program.
The FBI raided Pilot’s
headquarters in Knoxville, TN, on April 15, and it was there that the
government found overwhelming evidence against Ralenkotter and Judd. Ralenkotter
has since admitted to participating in the scheme from 2008 through April 2013.
Ralenkotter’s attorney stated, “He knew it was wrong and indefensible, and we
felt it was in his best interest to enter a guilty plea early.”Haslem, who also owns the Cleveland Browns, told other NFL owners that he had no knowledge of the illegal scheme to cheat trucking companies. In a 120 page affidavit, the FBI claims that Haslem did have some knowledge of the program.
Details of the fraudulent scheme
can be found here:
