Probe of well-connected truck stop chain may widen

[Sherman A1]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The federal investigation into the truck stop chain owned by the family of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam led to its first convictions this week and threatens to widen against employees at Pilot Flying J.

Court documents allege that sales teams were being trained on how to scam the company's customers out of rebates and get away with it.

Pilot's regional sales director and regional accounts representative both pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. The pleas were entered in U.S. District Court in Knoxville. Prosecutors have offered to recommend a much lighter sentence for both employees provided they cooperate with federal investigators and reveal the extent of how many people in the company knew about the fraud.

The Knoxville-based chain is run by CEO Jimmy Haslam, the brother of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. Pilot Flying J, the country's largest diesel retailer with annual revenues of $31 billion, was founded by their father.

http://news.yahoo.com/probe-well-connected-truck-stop-chain-may-widen-083237398.html

[Ed Suspicious]

1. "annual revenues of $31 billion" There are some very rich people out there. Would 3 percent profit

be reasonable assumption for a business? What is that like 1 billion per year in profits? Takes a lot of daddy's money to become governor.

[In_The_Wind]

2. Pilot and Flying J makes life difficult for the independent truck owner.

But ... THEY are not the only ones who take advantage.



Hurray for this investigation!

[Octafish]

3. Kickback Kharma for the GOP

Greed, Oil & Perversion, Inc.

[Fuddnik]

4. It's a Steelers plot to finish off the Browns for good.

Haslam was a part owner of the Steelers until he bought the Browns last year.

[southernyankeebelle]

5. When is it enough for these millionaires? How much money do they need to take from

people before it's enough. I wonder what this governor is doing behind our backs. Sadly we won't ever know unless someone talks.