Federal agents raided the Pilot Flying J Corporate Headquarters in Knoxville, TN on Monday the 15th of April. Agents from both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) took part in the raid. When the agents arrived, they instructed everyone to turn off their computers and phones and then asked all non-essential personnel to leave the building. According to the Chattanoogan, the raiding agents were made up of 30 FBI and IRS agents wearing bulletproof vests who focused mainly on talking with IT, accounting, and customer service officers.
The raid is a result of a criminal investigation stemming from some trucking companies claiming that they weren’t paid the rebates they were owed for purchasing fuel from the truck stop chain. Despite the fact that the IRS was involved, CEO Jimmy Haslam has said that “it does not involve any tax issues.”
Documents were seized during the search of the three office buildings on the corporate campus and several company members were subpoenaed, but no arrests were made. In fact, the company released a statement saying that, to their knowledge, no company executives were targets of the investigation. This calls into question the necessity of such a strong federal reaction – Thirty armed agents in bulletproof vests storming a corporate office is something you might expect to see in the movies. Questions have been raised over whether or not the raid may have been politically motivated since not only is Jimmy Haslam the CEO of Pilot Flying J and new owner of the Cleveland Browns, but his brother, Bill Haslam, is the current Governor of Tennessee and a Pilot Flying J stockholder.
Regardless of the motivation for the raid, Haslam has maintained his company’s innocence and said that they will “cooperate appropriately with any and all external investigations and conduct our own.” He also issued a statement saying that he trusts “there has been no wrongdoing” and that the “integrity of [the company] always has been job No. 1.”
No service has been suspended at any of the Pilot Flying J travels stops or convenience stores, nor is there any indication that there will be a stoppage because of the investigation.
Pilot Flying J is one of the country’s largest private employers with over 650 travel stops and convenience stores in the US and Canada, employing more than 25,000 people. They have annual revenues of around $29 billion.
Next Story: Speed Limiter Mandate Reappears On The Horizon
Sources: fleetowner, landline, overdrive, chattanoogan, nytimes
Image source: knoxnews
F.B.I. = Federal Bully Idiots. This sounds like could be a mistake or executive issue that Government officials could have investigated like professionals. No they have to wear there paid for by the Tax Payer Military Gear letting everyone know they have authority. Bet they were equipped with AR-16’s with high capacity clips too just in case a Pilot Flying J employee had a cup of water near the water cooler. Nothing wrong investigating something wrong with intimidating. Thought maybe the Boston Bombing and or more threats of bombs in Boston and the fertilizer explosions outside Waco Texas would keep the F.B.I. busy and there’s also risen in letters to government officials that need to be looked into. How about Benghazi, where’s your report for this investigation F.B.I.? No they are either too busy on vacation with the President or threatening successful businesses with overkill raids. Meanwhile our southern borders are being over run with illegals entering our country illegally, today more than yesterday. Send the F.B.I. and I.R.S. along our border with Mexico by enforcing the federal laws already on the books. That’s your Jobs, protecting the citizens and securing our borders. No more than 6 auditors were needed to examine Pilot Flying J’s books.
You hit the nail on the head!
I’m so tired of corporate rip offs, so I hope the trucking companies get their due. If Pilot would keep their promises the cops would not need to get involved. I cant count the times Pilot has revoked or expired my loyalty points; I dont even bother keeping score anymore. Pilot is just another greedy rip off corporation.
FBI = federal bural of intimidation
Is there any way to be more ignorant of how the police work? No, I didn’t think so! The police (whatever branch it is) are REQUIRED to “seize control of the situation.” You obviously have never done any business with Pilot.
Just for the record, it is AR-15’s, NOT AR-16’s. (that would be M-16), it is a high capacity MAGIZINE, NOT clip. The fertilizer plant blew up in the town of West, Texas NOT Waco. That powder is called RICIN, and that case is all but resolved. Benghazi, has nothing to do with the FBI, that isn’t their area of authority. The FBI don’t protect (go vacation with him, either!) that is the Secret Service. And gain, the FBI NOR the IRS is in charge of Immigration .
So, just based on those couple of inaccurate “facts”, I seriously doubt you are qualified to say how many auditors were required to examine Lyin J’s books! I do wish you had pointed out that you weren’t a truck driver. But sadly, you probably believe you are.
Well done!
The Loves, Pilot, & Flying J are federally owned, purported, & financed to expand & continue corporate ….Business/Fed bz their main structure is owned yet franchised out.
Heard that sometime back its just not well known, how else do you think the Mom & Pops truck stops keep getting bulldozed, methodically with no repression. It’s just calibrated until they income level grows to indicator levels by the strength of family, locals, then Hi to Jacks favorite roadside stops.
I hope they destroy pilot flying J just like it has destroyed the mom and pop truckstops.
Yes, because what we need are more of the smaller, dirtier, mom and pop truckstops of yesteryear…time to retire James.
In with u on that!
Wow, your not very bright, are you?
You’d want all these people to lose their jobs, just to satisfy your agenda?
Of course! They’re evil capitalists, just like Wal-mart!
I bet you also complained about the high prices at the same mom/pop truck stops you now lament.
Pilot is honest and respectful company be please respectful
I agree with James but even more how many of you have had your reward points disappear. I would bet they are guilty of some act of fraud. I thought I was the only one when I complained about the disappearing reward points much to my surprise two truckers standing in line also said they were cheated out of reward points. That is why this company only gets what I can’t get else where.
Same here
Well I have fuel rate adjustments in my pay meanng I was not getting the rebate and paid full price
I hope they destroy pilot flying J (and the 25,000 employees that work there) just like they have destroyed the mom and pop truckstops.
Fixed it for you there, James.
Say, you aren’t one of those anti-capitalist commies that aren’t supposed to exist, are ya? Didn’t think so.
John, why in the world would you wish on the employees of this company their demise because the corporation made a mistake or done something wrong without the knowledge of what management was doing.
That is like saying just because a trucker had broken the law somewhere all truckers and their families should be held responsible. That’s not the kind of a statement a normal person would make my friend. You’re in time out!
John was revising James’ statement suggesting that James was a moron for saying what he did. And because James and others like him want a company to fail (rather than hoping its a mistake), tells me they’d like to see 25,000 people out of a job.
Tell you what James (and others like him), how about they lose their job and come take yours.
Erik, I would MUCH rather see 25,000 employees out f work, than to watch ANY company steal my money. Since you probably have nothing to lose, I understand your point, but some of us actually have something to lose. Any time you believe that accompany is too big to fail, there is a very serious problem! You are saying that they can do anything they want to do, so long as they continue to employ 25,000 people? What if they decided to quit paying the employees, would THAT be ok? Why not, they aren’t putting 25,000 people out of work! You people ought to try to think, before you speak (or post)!!!!!
Ya, and when they close, and I get kicked out on the street with my wife, 3yr old son, and 2 week old baby ill come knock on ur door and ask for a job and place to stay
John that’s exactly what’s happening. The federal dot is changing our rules and service hours because some drivers would not adhere to the old ones. As far as flying I pit goes I believe they should get what they deserve. I have lost points and showers on numerous numerous occasions. You report it to a manager and they tell you there’s nothing they can do. I don’t buy anything from any of the truckstops anymore. They are usually 3 times as high or higher than you could get it elsewhere.
Aren’t supposed to exist meaning???
Yea, the disappearing reward points should be looked into. Pilot itself have wiped out so many mom and pop aka real food and service truckstops!
Met with tanks and drones! That. Should make a point of authority. Lol
They don’t “dissappear” they EXPIRE.
Read the consumer agreement you made with Polit/Flying J when you signed up for the card.
I agree with you , but , the fault lies with the person who is looking for a good bargan on what they purchase. I am guilty of this. If I can get something cheaper at another stop,why not . I remember going to Knoxville and I would fuel at the flying J , grab a bite at the 76 , then park for the night at the petro . Then depending on the sitiuation I might just go to the T/ A. The way to cure it would be to have all their prices the same or at least within a penny or two of each other.
I knew Pilot is taking every Penney it can steal from the American trucker & tourist
Go somewhere else then. I NEVER had points disappear, I do keep an eye on expiration date
I’m sure they are guilty of something like most big companies are.I personally haven’t had anyhad a problem with them. My biggest complaint is that the prices in the travel stores are high. They know that they have a captive customer base because they know that trucks just can’t stop anywhere. I’m not a fan of big companies,but you have to admit they are cleaning up truck stop image. Ill probably catch hell about sticking up for Pilot/Flying J but why should I trash them if I haven’t had a problem. BTW IV been on the road since 1972 so IV seen,ate and parked in some shit holes.
“Behind every million dollars, there IS a crime”
Prove that bold statement, its like saying u have to be a criminal to be rich. Just remove every and i would maybe agree.
BobbyDigital: Okay, if there is a crime behind every million dollars what kind of crime is there behind every 16 trillion dollars?
Masked, the answer to YOUR question is…….: Your political Representatives! No, NOT the President, but ALL of them!!!
No one is making you purchase a thing at Pilot, or any other truckstop. You do so willingly.
You can’t reason with these idiots. They go in, spend their money then claim that pilot/flying j’s is stealing their money. What a bunch of morons.
It is great to finf a Flying J or Pilots on long trips, and not having to stop a “mom & pop” filthy stations with overpriced old coffee and overprice fuel. Going into a private business with GUNS DRAWN!? What third world country is this?
Mom and Pop truck stops destroyed themselves.
Contrary to some opinion, the “mom and pop” truck stops did not kill themselves. Corporate truck stops did this. It’s a form of the big dog eating the little dog. Mom and Pop buys enough fuel to sustain them to another fuel drop, corporate buys millions of gallons, ergo forcing the mom and pop to compete and lose money.
As for the cleanliness issue, I also disagree with some of your opinions. I recently went into a Pilot to shower. The smell of mold and mildew was so strong, I nearly gagged. I asked for another shower, only to smell the same odor in it. I went across the interstate to a Petro to shower.
I can’t count the number of times, I have purchased something to eat at Flying J’s hot deli, only to realize that it was stale. Burrito’s harder than Chinese arithmetic, chicken wing inedible, corn dogs so hard you could drive a nail with them, etc.
Don’t even get me started with the Denny’s issue, either. Google how many times they have been sued in court for racial discrimination, high sodium content in their food, etc.
Outlaw, I would wager that the people here that are bashing the Mom and pop sops are kids that have never even SEEN one! I remember Mary Lou’s in Bloomsbury NJ, next to the 76!! I remember the fuel stop at Shady Grove, too! (I believe they call that Anthony now?) The old Standard station, in El Paso!!! Oh yeah, those were the days!!!
Stinger I have to agree with you. Ive never had any problems with Pilot either. My company allows us to get fuel anywhere but I still try to use them any time I can. They have tons of pumps, most of them have alot of room to park, and its easy to get in and out quickly. Ive never had problems with points disappearing either. I know that some Pilots are hooked up to a different system so the points take an hour or two to show up so maybe thats what some of yall are seeing?
I question a comment on how they are cleaning up on truck stops. (Not likely). :-))
Regarding reward points, I should hope this type of force used in a police raid is more involved than just Reward Points. Now that I think about it, my rewards points were lost due to one new Pilot rule or another. I didn’t really have much concern about it as I wrote it off as a Pilot scam. I have to question the police force used and whether it was warranted. All that fire power, sort of reminded me of a fire fight when I was in Nam. I guess they are serious about reward points, or the full story is not out yet.
They’re getting what they been giving Truckers for a long time…..Down with the stockholders and the rich people involved….If Trucking companies filed the charges it wasn’t politically motivated…
Someone at TA paid the cops to do the raid. To make Pilot look bad. 😉
JK! =D
But seriously, it does raise a few eyebrows, doesn’t it?
Ya’ll might want to work on your reading comprehension a little. Nowhere in the article did it mention anything about guns, drawn or otherwise. They were investigating a fraud case, so they needed enough manpower to ensure whoever was behind it didn’t have a chance to delete any incriminating files that may have existed on company computers. I don’t think the bulletproof vests were overkill either. If there was someone there who was guilty of major fraud they could be looking at significant jail time and could have been desperate enough to avoid that jail time to commit suicide by FBI agent. When there is enough money involved people will do desperate, stupid things. Taking extra precautions like wearing personal protection gear when executing a warrant in a criminal case is just common sense.
Not if they want government officials to be shot it doesn’t. You and your lack of gun conspiracy theories.
I think there is more going on than just what is written in this story. Never heard of a fully armed 30 agents going into a store and have shut everyone shut down PC’s, cell phones, electronic devices and clear the store out to do an internal audit. Something is going on.
Actually it doesn’t say they were armed, however that’s probably their standard issue firearms. And it mention them being drawn in any way. So yeah, it’s open for interpretation and gonna be read as negative by people predisposed to think negatively about the government. (Sometimes rightfully so 😉 ) but in this case I got the feeling it’s more a case of the writer choosing his words to suit the story. As it evokes images of tear had and busting down doors but I imagine they just walked in and flashed a badge. 🙂 but it sounds make dramatic if you say raided. 😉 though that is technically correct.
I was there when it happened. Yes they were armed, but weapons were not drawn. They all had standard issued gear. They simply walked in. But I do agree with you when you say: “I got the feeling it’s more a case of the writer choosing his words to suit the story. As it evokes images of tear had and busting down doors but I imagine they just walked in and flashed a badge.” You are correct. That is exactly what happened.
Loves and TA/Petro give me fuel discounts immediately when I fuel generally 20 to 50 cents a gallon. Pilot/FJ supposedly rebate the discount the following month on my settlements. It’s impossible to figure out where you’re getting the discount and how much it is and the rebate is so small it’s hardly worth it. I generally avoid Pilot/FJ for this reason.
I’ve mysteriously gotten close to the monthly goal of 1200 or 1500 gallons and the points didn’t make it on the rewards card. I’ve had 4 replacement cards in the last year because of this. I have fuel and go so I never got receipts. I will for now on to make sure I don’t get hosed. TAs and Petros are turning into dumps. The garages are usually empty, and rightfully so. I spent an hour to get in one, then two hours to mount a used tire, ALREADY ON A RIM, to the right rear outside of my trailer. Wish I could fuel at Hess.
Flying J…….5 stars for a place to take a husky dump.
Pilot lie with the amount you fuel. Everytime I fouel at pilot,fj it shows 12 to 16 galons less on the board computer than on the receit. If i fuel at other truck stops it shows around 6 gallons less. And that with no idle time. Thats why their prices are a little bit lower than ta’s.
If this link works, here is the website that has the 120pgs on the indictment where you can read it (click on the lower left corner of the inset page menu and it will expand the page, like youtube), they have about 35 people listed. They have listed the conversation that was taped between employees, the sales and regionals, and statements from one past employee who I believe was able to give them records or tell them how to find the false reports. It indicates that this has been going on for several years to unsuspecting truck companies and if a cry was raised they would reimburse the company and blame it on computer error. They preferred smaller companies that were not as savy in having computer programs to track the real amounts of the rebates. They were doing this to mail rebate customers where the figures could be cooked and amounts changed and then mailed out.
It sounds like they have them nailed to me, Haslam can yell innocence all he wants.
Copy and paste this into your browser
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/04/cleveland_browns_owner_jimmy_h_1.html#incart_river_default#incart_m-rpt-2#incart_maj-story-1+9+9
Good work Deborah. 🙂
Don’t forget about local politics and relationships.There have been many cases of mom/pop or corporate that gets wrapped up in local politics and relationships that probably contribute to more problems for any truck stop,mom/pop or corporate anyway.
I have seen my share of area situations that is more isolated to those locals than any corporate.
I’m not saying that the point situation is not a prob or that corporate doesn’t have problems,but still,their is always that potential for the problem spread to local people especially when family and economy are such an important factor.
Another thing comes to mind with the corporate truck stops.Remember that Flying J and Pilot are a religious owned situation.That means that their are obviously certain tax breaks and write offs that are somewhat different than your T/A’s and Petro.So I am sure that one can expect to run into trouble there.
I am shocked at some of you.
It is clear you are not paying the fuel bill if you support these thieves! Look around at all the stations around Pilot of Flying J that are $0.50 a gallon cheaper on fuel.
These big truck stops are thieves and are price fixing fuel prices. They buy more fuel than anyone and yet charge so much more for it than any normal station that we cant get into.
They are simply thieves.
But go ahead and support them because they give you a free drink and shower while screwing your employer and America just as hard as they can with fuel prices.
Very sad…
Last I checked, fuel prices were set by the oil companies, the +/- few cents is per chain, and every region has different taxes.
Everyone may hate on pilot/flying hook, but I’m sure you guys may not be complaining when its the only place to park in 40 miles besides an onramp or curbside.
These companies are doing everything in their power to help us truckers, do you think they enjoy cleaning up your piss bottles or bags of garbage you leave behind in the parking lot? Or cleaning the toilet paper off the floor of the bathrooms or scraping off the inconsiderate ignorant racist shit carved into the bathroom walls?
Keep hating on these companies and be greedy, because someday they’ll disappear, and when federal regulations has you parking for 10 hours a day, you’ll not have an asswipe or towel to enjoy each night and will remember of the days when there used to be a flying J there.
Why did Pilot have to do anything wrong ? Maybe there is a real political agenda here ? What would happen if the largest truckstop company went out of business overnight? What effect would that have on the food supply in this country ?
I am not a big fan of the Feds period. That being said I am not a fan of being gouged everytime I stop at a Pilot. I particularly resent having to pay the equivilant of $9.60 a gallon or more for a pint of milk. I spoke to a corporate rep and was told I was paying for convieance. That was the last time I ever bought milk at a Pilot. Kind of poetic justice they were inconvieanced themselves.
The FACT that they give large discounts (20-30cents) to big customers should say something about how much they screws the small guy. They charge you when u use your credit card. Why would you buy fuel there when next door I can use my credit card at par. These large companies give large companies an unfair advantage over the owner operators. The stupid TCH styl discount cards charge you $2.00 transaction fee and end of months transaction accounting fee’s that wipe out most if not all of the discount. The independent owner operators are being screwed by the Pilots/flying J/TA’s/Petro’s. I plan to use Gas Buddy on my IPhone with my 2% cash back credit card.
I think the Feds need to raid their kitchens and investigate how it is possible that, in none of these many, many locations, can they do something as simple as properly fry an over-easy egg. Clearly there is some kind of conspiracy, because otherwise you’d expect them to get it right occasionally, if only by accident.
I work for a company that buys a really huge amount of fuel 99% at Pilot/Flying J everyday.I fuel almost everyday as we slip seat trucks and seem to get the empty ones all the time.I watch and keep track of my points and when they will expire and get receipts for every stop and keep them all in order.I haven’t bought anything for a time and am watching my points disappear and alot of times they don’t record the double points month and time after time I have to go inside and ask for them only to get single for asking.I have been trying to see for 30 days if they do keep good records on our points and from what I am seeing they miss on alot and do ok on others.The month they were giving triple points out and we all(drivers) had to keep fighting to have them add the points on after fueling when you got your receipt and then hear the manager complain the whole time.I dont want to see anyone loose any job but something is not right somewhere with this company and it needs addressed and fixed thats for sure.The FBI doing what they did just comes off as overkill and a show boat deal for a problem/s.I hope they fix the problem and come out for the better to all that need to use them.
I have had very little problems with Flying J / Pilot. I have saved my points up and use them for large purchase’s that I normally wouldn’t do with my own money. I got a Cobra bluetooth cb pretty much for free. Free showers. They have the best coffee out of all the major chains. I wish they would offer free wifi like their competitors, Petro. I think sometimes Petro or some T”A’ s are sometimes cleaner and much more nicer. But, it come’s back to the coffee.
Plus, the company I drive for somehow, we get more points for fueling at this giant. I don’t pay for the fuel but benefit off of the items I can get for free. It’s bad enough that we still make 1970 wages. Why not get a little something for free.
I will go out of my way to get to a Pilot/Flying J. If it’s not possible, I will fuel somewhere else only to get enough fuel to get to one of them…….
Sounds like the same reaction and action the Feds took against Gibson Guitars also based in Tennessee.
From what I heard, the raid from the IRS and FBI were politically motivated. It’s probably standard practice to wear bulletproof vest just as it is for the local police. I heard that the owner of Schneider (also a Senator) wanted to purchase the Cleveland Browns but was overbid by the owner of Pilot/Flying J… Could be personal retaliation and who else would be able to do that more than a Senator. ( just saying)
Also, The report said that the TRUCKING COMPANIES complained that they were not receiving their fuel rebates. It didn’t say the company drivers weren’t receiving their points.
Also, If you don’t like the high prices at these P/J Truck stops, stop purchasing products from them. If P/J didn’t exist, you’d have nothing to complain about and nowhere to park.
Flying J has grown and grown, on who’s dollar? Profits from the overpriced goods on sale or profits from rebates not returned, or from other sources. Hope Trucker Report stayes with this interesting event, publishing all the info to a conclusion. Thank you TR.
what u are missing is your employers get a kick back on the fuel u buy and they reported that they werent getting it , so one of the companys like jb hunt ,swift , quality , ect .ect.
but the question is as owener opp do u get a kickback “NOT” so u pay full price at pump 300 per gal and your employer pays 250 per gal and pockets 50 cents on every gal u buy and fj is not sending it . it has nothing to do with the rewards points .
irs should get involved flying j always charged taxes for non tax-able items in ohio,milk etc
Please don’t give the IRS any ideas…
Walmart needs to get in the truck stop business!
I wish they would quit stealing my free coffee from me. went a whole month without one free coffee!
Oh yeah, some office workers in the past have brought their own weapons to work. So bringing guns where guns might be on any occasion for self protection is okay in my book. Horay for the US GOV.
Maybe it was well deserved payback for the voter intimidation Pilot Flying J used on all their employees. Telling them a vote for Obama was a vote for them all losing their jobs? I don’t care who you vote for or what you think of the current President -voter intimidation is illegal. Yet every driver was sent a threat via their internal truck system telling them if President Obama won Pilot Flying J would go bankrupt and they would all be out of a job.
KARMA !!!!! Or the FBI – ????
worry not brother bill will pardon and protect and charge all the tennessee residates with highr taxes for their slip up
U know truckers are 75% of pilot/flying j profit, if u truckers want them shut down quit going to them, but no u are the ones keeping them open, cus u go there, so either stop going or stop bitching
Yes, I only speak from experience… My experience with pilot / Flying J. Yes, I lost points I knew I had… Yes, I had to pay $12 for a shower when I knew I had several showers that were taken away. And oh yes, their prices are high as hell but we are not forced to buy from there, and I don’t! I used to and got fed up spending three times as much for things so I just altered my stops in my spending pattern. It was a little bit of inconvenience but I saved money and wasn’t as angry throwing away my money for overpriced Goods.
They need to investigate Petro in Atlanta who forces driver to pay even when they are not in the reservation spots. I had to either pay 15 dollars for a none reservation sport or spend 20 dollars to stay over night can you all please look into this
Flying J DLR – Broadway #964
315 E 13th Street
I-90 Exit 495
Hardin MT, 59034
Has diesel cash price $2.95
And they are charging $3.02
The guy refused to fix and ask me to go. Have to keep eye on prices can’t trust this company. This happen today 03/25/19
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