Pilot Flying J, the truck-stop empire of which Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is the most prominent scion, had its Tennessee headquarters raided Monday by the FBI and IRS. Today, we know why: The Bureau says the company engaged in a five- to seven-year fraud, and that Haslam knew what was going on.
Authorities say the fraud worked this way: Pilot would withhold or underdeliver on promised or advertised fuel rebates, overbilling unsuspecting trucking companies and pocketing the price difference for itself. Some companies supposedly lost more than six figures over the life of the scheme. And, the feds say, Haslam was present at meetings where the scheme was discussed.
Would Roger Goodell dare swing his shithammer at an owner (non-Snyder, non-Jones division)? Haslam's brother is, after all, a Republican elected official. Stay tuned. We trust you'll be hearing more.
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam's travel center company, Pilot Flying J, has engaged in fraud for 'many years', FBI says [Plain Dealer, h/t Dan]