NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Knoxville judge on Monday rejected a claim that Pilot Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam is tampering with potential witnesses in a lawsuit stemming from an FBI raid on the country's largest diesel retailer.
Knoxville Circuit Judge Harold Wimberly denied a motion by Atlantic Coast Carriers Inc. of Hazlehurst, Ga., to block Haslam, who also owns the NFL's Cleveland Browns, from contacting customers who the FBI court alleges were short-changed on their fuel rebates by Pilot.
The FBI alleges members of Pilot's sales team deliberately withheld rebates to boost Pilot profits and pad sales commissions. No criminal charges have been filed.
Pilot spokesman Tom Ingram said the privately owned company is delighted by the ruling.