FBI court documents recount ‘gray side’ of Pilot

[Police Moderator]

FBI court documents recount ‘gray side’ of Pilot

NASHVILLE — When federal agents descended on the Knoxville headquarters of Pilot Flying J on April 15, it was the first inkling the public and company executives had of an FBI and Internal Revenue Service investigation that began nearly two years ago.

After the country’s largest diesel retailer sought to downplay the probe, federal officials took the unusual step of unsealing an affidavit that helped authorize the raid before any charges have been filed. The sworn statement recounts internal Pilot conversations that led investigators to conclude there was a widespread scheme to defraud trucking company customers in order to boost company profits and pad sales commissions.

The privately held company with $31 billion in annual revenues is run by CEO Jimmy Haslam, who also owns the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. The Haslam family, including brother Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, holds a majority stake.

The investigation started May 4, 2011, when the FBI was contacted by someone who said he had been told by a Pilot regional sales manager that customers were being cheated out of contractually set price rebates.

Read more: times free press

What's not 'gray' is the damning information in the 120 search warrant affidavit linked here: FBI Search Warrant Affidavit.

Stick a fork in The Pilot/Flying J/Haslam Empire. I'll never stop in one of those places again.

[Half-Tard]

Typical republican business practices. Birds of a feather Bill you must resign...

[Police Moderator]

Typical republican business practices. Birds of a feather Bill you must resign...

Not sure if this is going to reach the brother Guv'nor, legally. Politically? Another question not yet answered.

According to the affidavit this fraud has been going on for about 5-7 years. I believe the Guv'nor was out of it by then, but I'll stand corrected on it. The Guv'nor's name is never mentioned in any of the recordings, or the affidavit.

I will give kudos to the whistleblowers (The first one did it on their own after recognizing the illegality. The second one, only after duress and after being confronted by the I's and subsequently receiving immunity.) Kudos also to the FBI and IRS agents who apparently performed a stand up and detailed investigation.

I will disagree with aceman as fraud and corruption are not exclusively 'Republican' in nature. As examples I offer both sides of the aisle in Congress, any politician in Illinois/California/New York and many of the recent corrupt bailouts and any Federal funding of start-up, doomed-to-fail, companies; as evidence.

My prediction? 20-25 indictments after a US Grand Jury presentment, then half of those will flip on the other half and agree to testify for the Guvmint in exchange for either immunity/reduced sentence. This will never go to trial and all charges will be plead out. The Guv'nor will weather the storm and continue to piss aceman, et al off as one can pick their friends, but one can't pick their family. Just ask President Carter.

[Tookie]

Aceman probably wasn't around these parts during the Butcher and Blanton brothers' dealings.

[Half-Tard]

The Pilot chain hired Governor Bill Haslams former boss to over see the investigation. Can't make this shit up..fucking republicans balls bigger than dolly's tits