The former President of Pilot Flying J, Mark Hazelwood, has been found guilty of three charges stemming from his involvement in the infamous fuel rebate scam perpetrated by Pilot Flying J.
While ten former Pilot employees plead guilty to charges in 2016, and four more in 2017, Hazelwood and three other former employees decided to go to trial. Their trial began in November of 2017 and ended on February 15th. During that time, jurors heard testimony, viewed emails, and listened to secret recordings of Hazelwood and his fellow employees.
After four days of deliberation, the jury handed down the following convictions:
- Former President Mark Hazelwood was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of witness tampering.
- Former Vice President Scott “Scooter” Wombold was found guilty of one count of wire fraud.
- Former account representative Heather Jones was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud.
- Former account representative Karen Mann was acquitted of the one conspiracy charge against her.
Sentencing has been scheduled for Hazelwood, Wombold, and Jones for June 27th. In the meantime, prosecutors are asking that Hazelwood be considered a flight risk and be held in prison until he can be sentenced. The judge will hold a hearing on that request on Friday, February 16th.
Hazelwood’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, told reporters that they would be appealing his guilty verdicts.
Source: ttnews, knoxnews, wbir, cleveland, startribune
Juan Robledo says
Of course he’s going to try to weasel out of the charges or maybe jail time s.o.b. should be locked up for 20 years or more, maybe this way he’ll learn not to screw with owner operator’s and big fleet’s out of their rebates this is wake up call for the trucking industry, we’ll see what happens
Laythe says
He won’t be weaseling out of this one. This is Federal, not State. He’s going to a Federal Prison Camp for a little Vaca!
RT says
Hang the clown…
William McKechnie says
I can’t figure out how they got away with it for such a long time. You’d think the trucking companies accounting would have found something.
Rufus says
Now we should look at price fixing. Ever notice pilot loves,and ta all have the same price? 25 cents higher than every one else in the area. Competition is not taking place between them.
RT says
They got away with it like the company that went out of business and the drivers were left everywhere..no money or fuel..