One of the top former Celadon executives has made a request. The exec is awaiting trial on felony fraud charges related to his work at the company. Earlier this month, he asked a federal judge for permission to travel to Mexico for an all-inclusive, adults-only vacation for his birthday.
William Meek was Celadon’s Chief Operating Officer. He allegedly filed fraudulent financial reports which made Celadon appear to be healthier than it actually was. This allowed the company to continue operating right up until it closed its doors, stranding drivers across the country and leaving thousands of employees without their paychecks.
Meek is not in prison, but is still awaiting trial. As such, he needs permission to leave the country. Generally, he would only be allowed to do so if necessary for trial preparation or for some other serious matter such as the death of a loved one.
Instead though, Meek requested permission to leave the country “for a weeklong vacation at an adults-only, all-inclusive beachfront resort” in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
“Such a request — particularly from a defendant facing the kinds of charges Meek is facing, and during a global pandemic — is not one that the government can endorse,” the U.S. Department of Justice said according to Law360.
To try and get around the disapproval of the federal government, Meek offered to give the court reassurance that he would not be a flight risk. His solution was to propose to let the government hold his children’s passports so that he and his wife couldn’t flee without them.
Federal prosecutors didn’t find that offer compelling. Meek will remain in the U.S. and will have to celebrate his 40th birthday without an all-inclusive trip to Mexico.
Source: Law360
now THAT’S chutzpah!
Awe, poor guy. Wealthy, entitled ass holes never get to do anything fun…
This idiot obviously has no regrets for what he did. He should be in jail.
I disagree, he should have to work off his restitution running teams for CRST @ 30 cpm. AND hold his children as collateral
That’s the best yet. CRST will break that princess in right!!
No CRST is too good for him. Make him be a lease operator for CR England.
Tim, you Sir are a genius, but to make sure he gets it they should also short his mileage and keep his last couple pay checks. After all, an eye for an eye.
What a jerk
THE WHOLE COMPANY OFFICE NEEDS JAIL. IT TAKES MORE THEN (2) PEOPLE
I NEVER DID GET MY CHECK , JERRY ALBANO FROM DECATUR ALABAMA. I AM AFTER THE CEO WHO WORKS AS A CEO AT ANOTHER COMPANY .JAIL TIME FOE HIM ALSO. THANKS JERRY
Steve Russell is turning over in his grave, I assure you. He was a wonderful man who built a great company to work for until this jackass and a couple of his buddies got hold of it. He belongs on a good long vacation at the Graybar Hotel. You’ll just have to take my word for it.
I don’t need too take your word for it I worked for them when they got the lone stars and I got out of there because they where charging for 2 trucks. Which wasn’t worth it
I agree 💯 with you Steve was a great man and celadon was a great place to work until Steve couldn’t run it any longer
Poor baby
This is a great idea if you ask me. His wife and he can go party it up and unwind from the stress of bankrupting a big company and the government lawyers will babysit his kids for free. They will probably Have to feed em too. It’s not easy to think up Stuff like this.
How long did it take the DoJ to stop laughing long enough to write that excellently phrased response? I hope they took away this moron’s passport.
Prefered treatment hell no WTF…no remorse for ? He did to all those employes. While his bank acct bulging?? Slammer time
What a complete A Hole! Obviously he needs to go to prison. Pretty shameful!
Hello who do I take too they still owe me some money?
They need to drain his bank accounts and take all assets.
Due process Billy Jones. If you’re a trucker you should know you don’t get to squish someone because your emotions are engaged.
Especially in this age of “convenient moral preening” we need to make sure we do things properly.
Well, he was apparently planning to leave his kids unsupervised for a week… Maybe someone should call child services?
He’s 39 years old. His “children” could easily be in their late teens / early 20’s.
Sadly this is a very prevalent attitude in the trucking industry.
I bet this request is told to the jury! That should get him so sympathe. You really should run everything by your attorney before opening your stupid mouth. If he did, he should fire his attorney right away.
Must want to go with his best friend from aarow transport. He wants a birthday party. Get all the people he screwed together and throw him in the middle of the crowd we’ll have a great time, I know people that lost everything because of him. Miss Steve Russell when he was alive that was a great company, actually built on honestly. Might not have liked his answers all the time but they were honest.
& Folks want to know why I would never work for a mega carrier…..much less ANYONE involved with the ATA ….
All inclusive VACATION ? ! ? ! Nice to see he’s taking this all seriously.
Hey, drivers….get the RESPECT you deserve at…..
Stupidity is running rampant in the country. I think this guy made the top 10 list for stupid people in the United States.
And don’t forget clueless.
Let me guess, we should have sympathy for him, he was deprived as a child. So all actions should be forgiven. His bank accounts should be frozen, and given to all the employees that are now jobless due to his and others actions.
👍
Perhaps he and his wife Can be smuggled across the border in one of those NAFTA rigs going south.
What a scum bag, but thanks for a great deal on a lone star truck. Bought it for a fraction on liquidation sale.
I hope the judge gives this prick no mercy.
Im just so glad this prick got caught period. I walked out of this companies orientation in June of 2008. Best decision I made back then.
That is a real moron lmao.
Let’s said, if was a driver, that driver is at home now or at jail. Guess what? Rich snob people have always advantage.
Or!.. maybe someone could contact the drug cartel down there & tell them he insulted his momma!!! THEN HIS DRIVERS WOULD GET SATISFACTION
We can send him to Mexico, but it won’t be to a resort…
Look beyond the obvious of how ridiculous this sounds. Maybe they should be looking at Mexican banks for any missing funds he may have stashed down there.
I think all the employees who never got paid need their money and an all paid trip to a beautiful tropical island or country they’d love to go visit. Plus a Hugh bonus.
What do the children think about being dumped
That’s why it’s so imperative we take care of one another now more than ever. The amount of respect and appreciation we get out here is less than ever. The week they closed their doors my son and I were on our way back East from LA and spent the night at the TA in Barlow. A driver knocked on my door asking for help. He had been there all week and I think only asked for some food. I found out his situation through conversation and he was still $40 short of his bus ticket so I gave him the $40 plus food and water to get him home to Pennsylvania. If we want change it starts with me. It starts with you. It starts with all of us. Stay safe and take care.
Thank you driver,thought I was the only one left to allow myself in someone else’s shoes before lending a hand.Now I know 2 of use are still around! Seriously though,am aware there are more then 2 of us,but between the old school dying off and the other half being sued for tryin to help someone,sure seems like a dying breed!
He’s using the Insanity Defense ….
Well, considering his request for an all inclusive vacation at a Mexican resort he just might win his case with that defense; you’d have to be insane to make such a request.
This donkey who leaves hundreds of his former employees without pay should be punished to the fullest. I’m sick of these type of CRIMES thought less severe. And the balls for such a low life scum bucket to offer up his children is ludicrous.
You truckers don’t understand!! What was Good is now Bad… And Bad is Now Good… So Catch my Drift the Dude will Walk.. Wait and See, He’ll be Back probably owning Prime the next go Around.Shady people usually Win
You people do know that CEO,S always have a Golden parachute.I wonder what amount he received? I WONDER IF THE FEDS seized His bank accounts yet?